Samantha AshleyChristmas 2021 – I’m sure you are with me when I say, ‘where did this year go?’
If you have had a year anything like mine, then you have been overstretched, overstressed, and well, pretty much over everything, and now we are heading into the festive season which brings overindulgence and throws that into the mix.
So how can we be mindful of creating a fun counterbalance to all these lifestyle issues without being a killjoy and a scrooge so that our health and wellness doesn’t spiral out of control?
Move over advent calendars and welcome the Christmas Wellness Tree.
The Christmas Wellness Tree can be as fancy or as toned down as you like. It’s your tree. We use a small bench top tree and have it on the hall table, so it’s always front of mind.
How does it work? You need to create 31 lifestyle baubles to attach to your tree. These can be made from anything you like. In my household we cut out and decorate bright coloured cardboard discs to hang on our tree. On each bauble you need to write one positive, healthy activity that will counter a less healthy festive season choice. Ideas can be anything that resonates with you and your lifestyle. Some of my favourites are the simple ones like, drink 8 glasses of water today, eat an apple, take a 30-minute walk, wear sunscreen, take a yoga class, get a massage, breath deeply, hug someone you love, tell yourself you are beautiful.
Then each day in December, pick a bauble off the tree and endeavour to include that piece of advice into your day. Make it fun. Include the family. Maybe have one in your workplace and get your colleagues in on the action. Not only does this give you a healthy action to focus on for the day, but it also serves as a reminder to be a little more mindful of the choices we make.
So, this festive season have fun in moderation, be kind to one another, focus on the positive, discard the negative, and remember life is meant to be enjoyed. Celebrate with the ones you love and stay safe and well as you close the book of 2021 and look forward to opening the book of 2022.
Samantha Ashley – Bowen Therapist/Trainer & Assessor
Jacq Koloski
Gerard Bini
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