12 Wellness Tips For December

1. Sunlight – we may be leaving and arriving home in the dark, but don’t forget to get outside during the day for some much-needed vitamin D and sunlight – helping boost mood and energy.

2. Move – often we may feel like hibernating and keeping work and snuggled up indoors but try a Pilates class or brisk walk to stretch out your muscles and get your blood flowing helping stave off aches and pains.

3. Breathe – meditate. Not sure how? Spend a few minutes each day closing your eyes and following your breath in and out, slowly and peacefully. This allows your brain to have a muchneeded break and reduce your stress hormones.

4. Give – at a time of giving, you needn’t spend money. Instead smile at someone when you are out and about, it’s amazing how contagious it can be and it generates feelings of happiness in all concerned.

5. Gratitude – take a moment and think of all the good that has happened for you this year and be thankful. We can all remember a time when we have felt the warmth of kindness or when something positive has happened for us.

6. Eat well – remembering to eat a varied and balanced diet helps us to maintain our digestive systems, weight and energy levels.

7. Sleep well – our sleep can take a tumble in the darker months due to changes in our circadian rhythms and the urges to nap can be stronger. Can you let yourself snooze for that extra 15 minutes in the morning? You may be thankful later in the day.

8. Look after your body – get those aches and pains seen to, it’s true that we feel these more in the colder months, due to lower atmospheric pressure and damp air – osteopathy and massage can help you get moving more easily and release some of the associated tension.

9. Look after your immune system – say no if you are feeling under the weather to a social event – especially if you weren’t sure anyway, better be warm at home with a hot lemon and honey and early night to restore and revive you.

10. Look after your mind – it seems there are more and more social events to go to in December these days, remember you don’t have to go to them all. Give yourself a break if you need to – it’s stressful with a full diary!

11. Gift of wellness – who do you know who needs a boost whether mental, physical or emotional? Get them booked in for a relaxing massage or reflexology session to recuperate and restore them – it’s good to know that someone cares!

12. Look after you! – whether December is a season of fun, festivities or quiet contemplation, remember to look after yourself and give yourself a good start to the next decade – here’s to 2020!