24 Self Care tips for Christmas!
eDecember has arrived and the count down to Christmas begins. We have all read and heard self care tips before but can we find them, when and where we need them, in the moment? Here is a reminder of a few from a few years ago now, that I thought where worth repeating again.
Please enjoy these relaxing suggestions, all in one place for you in this blog for those not on or fond of following social media feed directly. I have also posting these up for you on Facebook for those of you that do. Full credit for the Images, courtesy of the Association of Reflexologists that I am proud to be a member of. Great suggestions for all year round but especially in the run up at this time of year. 🙏👣
Listen to Music
It doesn't have to be Christmas Themed, feel-good music for you is fine. Do you already have an uplifting playlist? Here is a link to the BBC Sounds Christmas playlists you may wish to explore if you don't have your own. Why not have some fun making your own? Updating and adding to your current list, changing it up a bit over the holidays might also be fun?
Take a breath!
Here are 10 breathing exercises you might like to explore. Also try out others such as box breathing, 4-7-8 breathing technique or Bhramari pranayama. So many to try. Enjoy!
https://www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercise https://www.healthline.com/.../breathing-exercises-for...
For a simple finger walk anxiety busting breath exercise check out my blog post here. . https://www.feetdbfirst.co.uk/.../how-to-cope-better-with...
For a free audio of the breathing work I do with clients during a reflexology session, visit
Learn to Forgive
Peace is such a precious thing! Treasure and share it when and wherever you find yours.
Forgiving ourselves can be the hardest thing to do but also the most rewarding. We are good enough just as we are. By starting with yourself first it then becomes easier to connect more with other people and beings. See different perspectives and similarities rather than differences. Treat yourself as you would a best friend or loved one.
If you find it hard to let go and forgive or you find yourself holding on to grudges and feelings of bitterness or resentment of others you may find the practice of loving kindness helpful. It is a beautiful way to practise release and letting go. The benefits of living kindness have been scientifically proven too.
Start with yourself, with practice this one gets easier. Chant out loud, say in your head, sing it out. Anything goes.
May I be well May I be happy May I be at peace
Then expand your practice to friends and loved ones. I personally find this the easiest to do but we are all different and that's OK. It can help to focus on individual people if you can.
May you be well May you be happy May you be safe
Now it gets more tricky. Expand your loving kindness further to those you don't know or perhaps even those you don't like much or have different perspectives, beliefs or points of view from and recognise that we are in fact one, not them and us. To deepen your practise, focus on a specific person or event.
May we be well May we be happy May we have peace
To explore this more, check this out. You may also like to explore calm, mindful or headspace, Tara Brach or Sharon Salsberg to name a couple more experts who explain loving-kindness so well.
Disconnect from the News
How often do you check in on the news? Many channels and stations are on repeat, multiple times a day. Do you need that stress?
Stay informed not forlorn.
Practice Acceptance
What do you find hardest to accept at this time of year?
Only take responsibility for the things you can and want to change.
Accept the things you can't change and learn how to live with or even grow to love the rest just as it is.
Aiming high can stretch you and help you grow but perfectionism may leave you feeling never enough.
Perfectly imperfect is the best way forward for me . How about you?
Mindful Walking
Practice mindfulness while walking, paying attention to each step. Where do you like to go walking? Personally I love woodland walks and anywhere there is nature but there is always somewhere local to go. Parks, Rivers, the seaside are ideal but even shopping centres and highstreets, stations and queues can become mindful places to take a moment to listen or observe passers by, buskers, feel the breeze on your face or look at the beautiful colours in shop windows.
To Nap or not to Nap?
How do you do your? Or like me do you try to stay awake and go to bed earlier instead?
We are all different so there is no right or wrong answer.
Read for pleasure
Oh yes, no better break than an escape into a book made of paper. Love ebooks and audio books as well mind you.
What read do you recommend over Christmas? What type of books do you love?
Positive Visualisation
What is your favourite scene at this time of you year? How does it make you feel?
Why not have some fun visualising a favourite moment from the past or imagine a perfect 5 minutes in your not so distant future. It could be a goal to make yourself a warming drink and relax by the fire with a good book or the comfort of snuggling next to a radiator or heater for 5 minutes while gazing out of the window at the world.
Be more ambitious perhaps and plan out your top 3 positive goals for the day or next week and imagine you have already achieved them.
See how you get on, happy weekend to you.
Scheduled 'Me Time'
Not everyone loves a bath. I do but you might prefer an invigorating shower instead. Water is so healing but doesn't have to be your kind of 'Me Time'. Me time is very personal to you and how you like to spend your alone time. You may prefer something completely different. You do you. When is your favourite time of day? How do you like to spend your scheduled pocket of time?
Laugh Often
What's tickled your funny bone this morning? I'd love to hear your stories.
I put my jumper on inside out this morning. Non of my lot even noticed. I only realised when I gave myself a self shoulder massage and felt the seam. Just as well I didn't go out first thing today.
Here is a blast from the past for you. 'Four candles'. Hilarious. Enjoy
Declutter
Do you feel calmer in a clutter free space? I know I do.
Are you organised or more of a free spirit?
Would you choose minimal or max if you had a choice?
If you feel at home in a space, you have room to breath and it feels right for you, then it's all good. Don't feel judged. But if you want change and would like to Declutter more then go for it!
Less visual noise to spoil the view is always calming for me but at this time of year, decorations come out and lights go on, which can be a feast for the eyes.
My aim this year is for cosy not cluttered. It's always a balancing act in our home, with very different tastes and tolerance levels of life laundry, so let's see how we get on. If we have enough room to wrap gifts and play by the time we are all done, I'll be claiming that as a win.
If you need help with your decluttering, ask family or friends for support. No need to try and tackle it all alone or get in a professional service, charity and council support are also available if it more than a spring clean and a couple of trips to charity shops and council tip are needed. Good Luck!
Journaling
Journalling can be such a release and way to let things go and declutter the mind.
There are so many creative ways to do it too if you like.
Simply jotting things down in a diary is a great way to start. Buy yourself a journal with helpful prompts. If words don't flow easily for you then scribble to start with, draw, doodle. Write what you see and gradually write how that makes you feel. If you like to speak your feelings, why not dictate to your phone or record yourself on video. It can be private. No one else need read or see what you have done.
Why not have a go and journal a few lines today.
Here are some prompts to get you started. Pick one, the lot or make up what you would like to get off your chest and down on paper.
How do you feel about Christmas?
What smells remind you of Christmas?
What is your favourite seasonal food?
What is your best Cracker joke?
If you could invite anyone in the world or in fiction to dinner who would it be?
If you could go anywhere in the world or beyond where would you like to visit?
Have fun with it!
Time to take a breather
I have one last home visit to do, then I will be taking a short break over the holidays and into the new year for some selfcare of my own. The daily posts will continue without my input or monitoring. What can you let go of today. What can you let run it's course without having to micro manage or try to control it? Can you instead go with the flow? See what you can take off your plate. What plates are you spinning that you can safely put down.
Yoga or Stretching
Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Physio Prescribed Exercises, Dance, Sports warm-up exercises. However you like to stretch yourself and keep things moving will benefit and stretch you more than physically.
How do you like to keep yourself mobile and supple? How do you prefer to connect your mind, body and soul best?
Set Boundaries
Do you find it hard to say No? I know I do. People pleasing can zap your energy and deplete your overall wellbeing over time.
Make sure you are saying a big fat YES! to the things and people you love more, for the right reasons and you will crowd out and reduce those moments when you would have otherwise said yes just to be polite when you really meant no. NO will then come far more easily to you, when it comes to all the small stuff that eats away at your joy and time.
Give it a go, start small and build up those healthy boundaries.
Here is a useful blog I found on this subject. I don't endorse or personally use this company myself but love the way this post has been written. You may find this advise useful too.
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