Are you ready for Christmas?
That seems to be the question we all ask each other at this time of year, doesn’t it?
The other day I said this to someone, and she replied: I’m ready for a few days off!
It made me think – Christmas seems to have become this massive festival of shopping, stress and social occasions these days doesn’t it?
We must make sure everyone gets a gift; nobody to be left out.
Cards to be written and posted; gifts to be sent to people
Christmas jumpers; decorating the house
Attending carol concerts and goodness knows what else
Food shopping and organising
Getting the house ready for guests
Planning how and who to visit over the Christmas break
The list seems endless, and sometimes this week before Christmas can feel like some bizarre endurance race.
For this week’s Mental Sunshine then, I want to remind you of the importance of taking a break.
The Christmas break is perhaps the only time of year when it’s safe to assume nobody else is checking their emails. Nobody else is at their desk.
Nobody else is doing anything more strenuous than reaching for the tin of Quality Street as they flick between channels.
Even the people who are at work, won’t expect to hear from you – they’ll assume you are taking a break.
There’s less pressure then to be “on” and involved.
It’s the perfect time then, to just switch off and relax a little.
Taking time out and relaxing can feel a little scary in this “always-on” world – but it can have great benefits for your mental health.
When we take a break we give ourselves time to take stock. To reset and evaluate the path we are on.
We can make plans for the coming year and return to work in the new year feeling refreshed and energised.
When we’re not constantly having to fight metaphorical fires, our brains are free to be more creative too.
I appreciate that some people don’t have a choice, and have to work during the Christmas break.
For many of us though, this is the perfect opportunity to down tools and work hard on the art of doing nothing!
I will certainly be taking time off between Christmas and new year;
Whatever you’re doing this festive season, I hope you get a chance to switch off and relax.
And I wish you a very Merry Christmas!