Prioritising Yourself This Christmas - Why It’s Not Selfish!
The festive season is well and truly in full swing.
Whilst it is usually an exciting time of parties, gift-giving, and taking time away from your desk, it can also contribute to you feeling overwhelmed, anxious and exhausted.
With this in mind, we have put together a quick and easy 4-step guide to help you look after yourself this Christmas;
Take time away from your phone
Make a conscious effort to take a break from the scroll.
Social media fuels ‘comparisonitis’, drawing attention to all the things everyone else has, making us feel like we are behind in life or have less than others. It’s important to remember that social media is a highlight reel, especially at Christmas time, and you’ll never know the truth behind the glossy photos and videos.
Prioritise being in the moment and living this time of year in a way that feels authentic to you.
It’s ok to say ‘no’
There can be extra pressure around this time of year to be out socialising and saying ‘yes’ to all the festive plans being made.
If you find yourself overcommitting to social events and wishing you had a night in to restore balance, here is your invitation to prioritise yourself and politely decline the plans that don’t serve you.
Recharging alone isn’t selfish, it is essential for recharging your battery. This is especially important if you find yourself sensitive to other people’s energy and the effect it has on your mood. For example, being around people with a particularly negative outlook.
Next time you feel your own energy being compromised by others, ensure to schedule in time to top yourself up!
Honouring your boundaries
Socialising with family and friends can create anticipatory anxiety. This is where we worry about something that hasn’t happened yet. This might mean worrying about how an upcoming event might go, what questions will be asked and what will be ‘expected’ of you. Before you leave, get clear on what your boundaries are.
For example, if you worry about family members asking intrusive questions such as ‘why are you still single' or ‘when are you getting that promotion’’, remember it’s your right to share only what you’re comfortable sharing.
We all come with our biases, you don’t have to take on someone else’s opinion of you or your life as truth. What you think about yourself is what really matters.
Embracing a slower pace
The pressure to hit deadlines before the end of the year, rushing around finishing off Christmas shopping, and late nights at parties, can create an increase in adrenaline and cortisol levels (your fight or flight response).
This can leave you feeling stressed, on edge, and restless.
If you have taken some time off over Christmas, this is a perfect opportunity to self-soothe and regulate your nervous system. This can look different to everyone, it might be walking in nature, meditating, getting lost in a book, pilates, journaling, or anything that helps you to feel calm and reconnected to you.
If you are usually busy, it can feel uncomfortable at first to move at a slower pace, but remember resting is productive and will leave you feeling stronger come January!
The Rachael Edit
‘As humans, we create associations with times of year and events based on our experiences as our way of trying to keep things simple, especially when life is busy.
This means whilst some people have joyful associations with this festive time of year, for others, it has a different meaning. Whether this time of year reminds you of negative situations from the past or new stresses and pressures this year, you are not alone in your difficulties, YouGov found ¼ of people reported their mental health is worse around Christmas.
These statistics highlight, as a society we often have unrealistic pressure & expectation around Christmas that are really unhelpful.
Try to be gentle with yourself, if you are struggling with feelings, don’t beat yourself up for how you feel, and don’t add to the narrative that you have to feel a certain way this Christmas.
Instead, know how you feel is valid and prioritise what you need during these moments, whilst being less focused on others' expectations of what you should be doing and feeling.
We seem to forget, that even at Christmas we are human. Life stresses do not stop just because it's the holidays!’
- Resident Psychological Coach Rachael Adams
LSP Live events are back…
Following the huge success of our first live event, this intimate evening at The Boat House has been designed to show you how to truly romanticise your life, and nurture the relationship you have with yourself.
Romanticising life isn't just an Instagram aesthetic, it's a way of living, a conscious outlook that comes from a deeper place of self-worth and self-celebration.
End this year with intention and book your seat to join us as we guide you through the process of falling back in love with the life you live.
Both Lucy and Rachael have limited availability for new 1:1 clients who wish to join the LSP starting January 2023.
If 2023 is the year that you've promised yourself to do things differently, click the link below and secure a 30-minute Discovery Call.
Do something today that future you will thank you for!
We hope you've enjoyed this month’s LSP Journal entry. We wish you a wonderful Christmas doing whatever makes YOU feel GOOD!