Tips to find calm this Covid Christmas

What a year ....we aren't out of this pandemic yet and worries about our health, future, jobs and finances can ring circles around us....it's no wonder anxiety levels are sky high....

I love Christmas ....but it's going to be very different this year...How will we celebrate and with whom? What about older relatives... are they isolated .? What if I visit them and pass on the virus inadvertently..?

It feels like whatever we do, we'll feel bad..so..what to do..?

1. Accept what is in your Sphere of Influence and what is not.

When anxious, do 4 rounds of SQUARE BREATHING - in for 4 -hold for 4- out for 4- pause for 4 ... remind yourself that you're not General Manager of The Universe... Inside my monthly online membership programme, myBestme, I do weekly group coaching sessions - here's a lesson from one of our recent sessions.

One of my clients was feeling anxious about the sudden closure of her daughter's nursery due to covid. Instead of worrying excessively about how she would navigate this sudden change to her family's schedule and having to self isolate, I asked her..

Me: "What's perfect about this..?"

Client : "Nothing. I'm worried my child may have the bug and I can't now visit my elderly Mum incase I have it ... I'll have to juggle my week...and all this just before Christmas!"

Me: "So what might be possible in your week now this has happened and you're stuck isolating... let's re-frame this so you get to see that this is actually the perfect run up to Christmas for you .. what might GET to happen now that you find yourself with uninterrupted time with your daughter in the weeks before Christmas?"

Client "Ah...I see it! I can do that Christmas baking I always promise but never have time for... we can have a few movie nights where I'm more present with my husband and family because we aren't going anywhere...actually, it's kind of a perfect family Christmas!"

Re-frame any apparent disaster by seeing the gift in it.

2. Make it a Mindful Christmas. You're not attending parties and hosting guests this year, so it's time to try out a new recipe or two... Fancy a vegetarian Christmas meal? I love this one and enjoy it every Christmas Day! Get the kids involved as they love getting messy in the kitchen and I like to make it magical by playing Christmassy music while we cook. Fancy a mindful moment with a cup of tea? I love this one from Neil's Yard - this delicate herbal tea takes me to a calm place every time I drink it..

3. Unburden yourself from feeling isolated and lonely by connecting with loved ones on FaceTime; Zoom or WhatsApp group calls. You can even try an online family quiz like this one in place of the board games you'd normally enjoy together..

4. When you're tired and need a restorative sleep, skip the alcohol and try an epsom salt bath with lavender oil instead. It works! myBestme members enjoy 20 minutes of restoration listening on their phone or laptop to my Yoga Nidra guided meditation whenever the afternoon slump hits or a little 'me time' is needed.

5. Keep up your healthy habits. A little of what you fancy does you good I say but try to keep up any health routines you've embedded this year over the festive season. If you know it's time you pressed RESET on your health and habits, join my FREE FACEBOOK GROUP called 14 days Master your Mornings Reset Challenge We start on Monday 18 January and I'll be LIVE each day at 7am - all we need is 15mins to embed 5 scientifically proven habits to boost your wellbeing in the new year! Anyone can join and it's free!

6. Get out of isolation and connect with like minded peers. It's normal to feel a bit worried, anxious or troubled in these pandemic days. It helps to share your experiences with others. myBestme members get FREE WEEKLY GROUP COACHING on Zoom with me. We meet virtually each Sunday to reflect on the past week -what's gone well/ what needs to change and to commit to small action steps each week. It's a friendly group and creates gentle accountability and forward momentum so come and join us!