Stress or Loneliness at ChristmasDearReader, According to statistics, we eat 60% more than usual at Christmas. There are obvious triggers in our culture for this. But stress or loneliness can be the emotional triggers. The lead up to Christmas can be stressful. Trying to get everything done, hosting Christmas, visiting people you have difficult relationships with... This can all trigger off fatigue, a stress response or bad memories. So, it’s normal to feel frazzled at this time of year. Never mind the waning light and cold! Being over-productive and feeling lonely are also part of the human experience. But they can be super triggered at Christmas, when an idealised ‘togetherness’ is the theme. The experience of stress or loneliness are a whole mixture of feelings and thoughts. One of these is self-criticism. It’s common to feel "I can't do anything right", “Nobody likes me” or “Who else would have me?” Family dynamics or not having a partner at Christmas can bring all of this out. Here are three helpful Christmas podcasts (My favourite is the third one!): Christmas Loneliness, Conflict, & Comfort Eating Christmas Over-productivity & GUILT - How to wind down Sleep & A Calming Christmas Bedtime Story Christmas is a good time to start being more loving towards yourself. Even if you don't come to it until after Boxing Day. It's never too late. As the saying goes ‘Goodwill to all men’. That most definitely includes you. Happy Christmas, and thank you for being here this year! Warmly, Shelley P.S. If you want to put something powerful in place for the new year, click below to set up a meeting with me.
|
Core Recovery from Comfort Eating or Toxic Relationship
Hello Reader, Now's The Time! 10 Questions to Help You Get Control of Your Eating at Christmas What food habits and traditions am I stuck in? Can I let go of any? What prep and planning can I do? Make a plan for what to do around food at Christmas. E.g. Freeze leftovers. What are my resources around food? Make a list of your coping mechanisms. How am I brainwashing myself? "Go on then, it's Christmas" "I'll eat what I want now, I'll diet in January". How can I get support around family...
What is willpower? Dear Reader, This is what willpower is, for me. If you listen to my media, you know I'm always saying that it's not because of your lack of willpower, that you can't stop eating. That's true! (Go back to your first emails if you want a recap of why you can't make yourself stop). In January, the world hits the refresh button and most people decide to give up something unhealthy, or start doing something positive. We get swept along with this vibe. So it's a small window of...
How to Manage Your Eating and ENJOY Christmas Nurturing yourself through the pressures of Christmas Dear Reader, Part of the reason we eat so much at Christmas is that it's so easy to do it. Our whole culture makes it easy for us. However, there are many traditions and habits associated with Christmas that can create pressure and obligations. One way to control your eating during Christmas is to politely decline food that you don't really want This is the second of my Christmas podcasts,...