Mental Health Matters: Nic Goddard - December 2024

As always my suggestions for ways to bring the Five Ways to Wellbeing into your life this festive season are just that - suggestions.

They may not work for you but there will undoubtedly be ways in which you ARE able to bring them into your holiday.

BE ACTIVE: Getting outside is a long held Christmas tradition. Whether it is testing out new gifts of bicycles or rollerskates or more modern day equivalents of activity tracking watches or photography drones a bracing walk outdoors to walk off the seasonal food and drink excesses, get some fresh air and exercise is always a great idea.

LEARN: Whether it is a Christmas gift which requires some education to enjoy or tasking yourself with learning something new about your friends and relations this year, or simply accepting that we learn new things every single day, including about ourselves, there are always opportunities to learn at this time of year.

GIVE: It is the season of goodwill and most of us have the capacity to give something - whether it is a donation of some sort to charity, the gift of our time to lend a hand where we can see someone is in need or sharing what you feel you are able to.

It is also worth recognising if you have no capacity left to give anything and making yourself the recipient of your giving - whether that is some time off, some self care, some self forgiveness or an actual tangible gift of something you would love for Christmas - you can even wrap it up and put it under the tree!

TAKE NOTICE: A mindful approach to Chrismas can feel like an incredibly challenging ask. As I mentioned above I used to find my mindful moment in the chaos of a Christmas with small children in the moments of quiet on Christmas Eve and that still holds magic for me.

I also find it in the sunset of the shortest day and the sunrise of the day following the winter solstice marking the return of the lighter days, incremental short moments each day which build each week and month until we are at the spring equinox.

Grounding exercises such as counting something you can see, smell, hear, feel and touch are perfect ways of taking notice, whether you reach for festive versions such as the scent of the tree, the taste of mulled wine and the sound of jingle bells, or avoid Christmas altogether and find non festive alternatives.

CONNECT: Spending time with others is known to have a positive impact on our emotional and mental health and wellbeing. In the run up to Christmas there are so many opportunities to join with others from community lunches to festive sing alongs, Christmas fairs and nativity and panto performances.

If you find yourself alone this festive season and that is not your choice or prefered way to be then there is always someone to listen, to be there and to offer support so please do reach out and connect with others.

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I wish you all the festive season you would most like to enjoy.