Now we’re almost at Christmas, I wanted to share a few thoughts to remember at this time of the year. Some are light-hearted, and some very serious. Here goes…

Body Liberation

• You’re allowed to eat whatever food you wish all year round, but particularly at Christmas. Don’t judge yourself or feel guilt. Enjoy festive meals and celebrate with the ones you love, and forget about calories and fat.
• You don’t need to “burn off” what you eat. If you feel full after dinner and feel like a walk, a swim, or a trip to the gym, that’s great! If you’d rather stay snuggled on the couch watching Christmas tv, that’s fine too.
• You don’t have to make “bargains”. You don’t have to promise to halve your calories in January to make up for it. Studies show the average weight gain over Christmas is less than 2 pounds. It’s hardly an obesity crisis, is it?
• Wear whatever you like. It doesn’t matter if it’s tight, or short, or brightly coloured. As long as you feel fabulous, that’s all that matters. In my humble opinion, the sillier, the better!

Mental Health

• Set boundaries. Yes, many of us feel obliged to see certain family members or friends at Christmas. Don’t feel pressured if you aren’t up to it emotionally. Set a schedule that you feel comfortable with and don’t feel guilty about looking after yourself.
• Look after yourself. Some great self-help pick me ups I recommend are: a steaming mug of hot chocolate; a hug from a loved one; a hot bath with lots of great smelling bath products and maybe a face mask; or your favourite Christmas movie, you, know, the one that gives you all the feels.

Alcohol

• Always remember, alcohol never solves anything…but then neither does drinking milk so have at it!
• It’s always five o clock somewhere
• If Doris (Gavin and Stacey) can drink wine at 10 am, so can you!
• Seriously, though, I’m not advocating excessive alcohol consumption, but if you’re going to overdo it a little, then Christmas is the time.

Thinking Of Others

• Suicide rates climb at this time of year. People feel very lonely every Christmas, but it’s much worse due to Covid. If you know one of your friends or family is alone, try reaching out. Make sure they are ok and take some time for a chat.
• As Charles Dickens points out in A Christmas Carol, many lack basic necessities at this time of year. I give to 3 charities all year round, but I try to make extra donations to food banks, animal shelters and homeless charities. It’s a good thing to do if you can.
• After Christmas is over in the UK, the signs are we may enter another lockdown. Even if we don’t, though, Omicron is spreading like wildfire. It’s too early to say yet if Omicron is less deadly, so please enjoy Christmas and then try and avoid mixing for a while. I know I will be.
• Get your jabs, including your booster. Enough said.

Christmas

• Merry Christmas, to all of you. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and take the chance to rest, after two years of Covid we all need it. Be kind to others, and in particular, be kind to yourself.