From digital detoxes to virtual games and at-home workouts, we’re counting down to the Christmas break with 12 festive days of wellbeing tips for you and your team.
This page is packed full of ideas and free resources, so sing along with us…
1. On the first day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
A wellbeing guide for employees
Download our free Beat the Winter Blues guides for top tips to cope with stress and boost your workplace wellbeing this winter.
2. On the second day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Two tech-free hours
Give your brain a rest from your news feed by going tech-free for two hours. Use the time to read a book, go for a walk or simply enjoy some downtime.
3. On the third day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Three festive games
While enthusiasm for Zoom quizzes was strong at the start of lockdown, it might take something a bit more original to engage your friends and colleagues this Christmas. So how can you plan an online party without resorting to ‘forced fun’? Spruce up your Zoom calls with free online bingo, a virtual scavenger hunt or a hilarious face swap challenge.
4. On the fourth day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Four feelgood factors
Christmas is a time for spreading joy so here are our four favourite ways to give back and make a difference:
- Donate to a food bank – find your local food bank here While we’re working from home Westfield Health has been donating our usual stock of fruit to S2, a local food bank supporting vulnerable and homeless people in Sheffield. A small donation can make a huge difference to those in need.
- Swap a present for a donation to a local charity instead of asking for socks or chocolates, add a charity donation to your wishlist this year.Volunteer to fight loneliness with phone calls.
- Become a telephone befriender Make someone’s day while having a good old natter.
- Give a gift to a local child Donate a toy to local children and brighten their Christmas morning. Here in South Yorkshire we’re supporting Hallam FM’s Mission Christmas.
5. On the fifth day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Five grateful things
Practising gratitude can help give us a new perspective on the world around us and improve our mood. It’s best to make it a habit, so starting a gratitude diary is a great idea. If you need some inspiration, why not note down something that…
- Makes you smile
- Makes you laugh
- You accomplished today (no matter how big or small)
- Fills you with love
- Brings you hope
6. On the sixth day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Six self-care actions
Looking after yourself is more important than ever this winter. Here are our top tips to improve your wellbeing through self-care:
- Enjoy a walk outside Getting out in the sunlight boosts your vitamin D levels and counts towards your recommended weekly exercise.
- Take 10 deep breaths Stopping to focus on your breathing can lower your stress and anxiety and ground you in the present moment.
- Call a friend or loved one While we can’t pop round for a cuppa this year, a phone call is a great way to lift your mood.
- Write a positive affirmation Put pen to paper and take a moment to appreciate the positives, whether it’s a reminder of your achievements or a simple thing you’re grateful for.
- Drink a glass of water Staying hydrated is the easiest way to improve your focus and manage your appetite throughout the day. The NHS recommends 6-8 glasses per day.
- Put on your favourite outfit All dressed up and nowhere to go – who cares?! Throw on your favourite jumper or add a new accessory to boost your confidence and get ready to face the day.
7. On the seventh day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Seven sets of stretches
A short yoga practice can melt away the stress. Try these simple poses to help you reconnect with your body. Hold each pose for 30 seconds before taking a rest, then repeat three times. Remember to focus on your breathing as you stretch.
8. On the eighth day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Eight hours sleeping
December is here and it’s easy to start burning the candle at both ends, missing out on that vital eight hours of sleep. The dark nights can disrupt our body clocks and make it difficult to catch up, so try our top tips on how to get quality sleep over the festive period.
9. On the ninth day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Nine nutrition hacks
It’s normal to notice an appetite change in winter, especially with all the sweet treats tempting us from the supermarket shelves. These simple solutions can help keep you healthy without sacrificing your festive favourites:
- For cost-efficient meals packed with nutrients, try incorporating seasonal fruit and veg such as carrots, apples, cabbage and (of course) Brussels sprouts.
- Have a proper breakfast to keep yourself feeling full and stave off snacking. A warm breakfast is especially satisfying in the cold winter months.
- Get a vitamin D boost by adding oily fish, red meat, egg yolks and fortified foods to your shopping list.
- Try cinnamon-roasted nuts with a comforting herbal tea for a cosy Christmas snack that keeps you feeling full.
- Choose dark instead of milk chocolate to bag yourself more antioxidants with less sugar and fat.
- If you drink alcohol, try a diet mixer or tonic water to reduce the calories in your tipple.
- If you’re struggling to resist the festive treats, let your friends and family know so they can switch out the selection boxes for more appropriate gifts.
- Be mindful of your meals. Christmas is a time to really enjoy your food, so instead of feeling guilty, try to savour every bite. You’ll appreciate the flavours more and notice when you start feeling full.
- Check out this BBC Good Food guide for recipe ideas that’ll keep you healthy over Christmas.
10. On the tenth day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Ten at-home workouts
Exercise is a great way to beat stress, boost your mood and keep your body healthy, but finding time to fit in a home workout session after a long shift or between juggling family and work can be hard. Try our favourite quick workouts you can do at home.
11. On the eleventh day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Eleven minutes meditating
Taking just a few minutes to focus on the present moment can help you to refocus and relax. For more meditation tips, try guided meditation using a free app – we especially like Headspace for beginners.
12. On the twelfth day of Christmas, Westfield gave to me:
Twelve toe-tapping tunes
What better way to lift your spirits than with some of your favourite music? Create a playlist of your favourite songs (festive or otherwise) or try out our ready-made mood boosting playlist.