From mindful meditation to keeping a journal; through to healthy eating and fitness tips. Two of our staff share their habits on how they best deal with ‘life’ stresses during Christmas time…
Here at Strathmore House Apartments, we care about people. Not just their experiences whilst in our beautiful and charming city; but how they actually feel and how they look after themselves, even when they aren’t staying here with us.
We talk to our Development Manager, Elinor Eaton and Club Continental Manager, Adam Domyslawski about the magic of Christmas, but also the strain and stresses we can feel too.
Although a magical time, the energy that is needed can sometimes leave us feel a little out of sorts. Elinor tells us how she stays positive at Christmas Time.
“Trying to clear your inbox and finish projects ready for the New Year; planning the perfect Christmas and buying the right gifts; worrying you won’t fit into your Christmas jumper after all the office mince pies..! The list can feel endless! But you’re not alone! These are stresses felt by many of us in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
It can sometimes feel like a bit of a taboo subject! People expect a positive response to ‘how are you?’; the majority don’t really want to know if you are having a little wobble, let alone real life issues. We live in a social climate whereby we are used to seeing happy filters on photos and positive quotes on Facebook; and we have almost conditioned ourselves to feel envious of that ‘pretend’ life – yet unable to deal with the real one of others and our own!
The festive period is meant to be a time for getting together, enjoying each other’s company, exchanging presents and having a good time. But sadly it can be a time where life becomes really overwhelming. End of year targets have only weeks to be reached. You haven’t got that gift which is ‘ALL’ they wanted. You can’t remember the name of Bryan’s wife next door for the Christmas Card; and you have over committed to festive events and family gatherings!
It may sound like I am trivialising things slightly, but this time of year can honestly be the most stressful – for all manner of reasons – both big and small.
The first thing to say is, it really isn’t just you that might be feeling this way. Be it work, money, home or simply life, we all have our wobbles … and it really is OK.
I make sure I do certain things to keep my mental well-being in check and keep on top of the nagging voices and moments of sadness or worry. I know Adam is an advocate for exercise, being outdoors and a good diet, but I have always been a huge fan of meditation, keeping a journal and trying to keep a good work/life balance.
Strathmore House Apartments is perfect for this. It’s quiet and private for amazing meditation, and so light and airy. It also encourages you to put your life first, when you step out of the doors and almost straight onto the sea-front, you realise what is – and what isn’t important!
My biggest lesson, and one I will always keep pushing to learn, is to love myself. Even with the scars, the ones that people can see, but also the ones that people can’t see too. Because eventually those scars will heal and things will get better.
Secondly, I always make more time for being me during the festive period. Choosing getaways like Strathmore House Apartments gives you the perfect platform to reconnect with what matters.
If you haven’t planned a New Year break yet, then grab some amazing deals now and make time for you.
It really is so important that you grab happiness and realise that these wobbles are just part of the journey and Christmas, well Christmas is the perfect time to give yourself the most important gift; happiness above all else.”
It’s clearly important to feed your soul and although our favourite time of year Christmas, in addition to all the usual everyday related stresses, Christmas can bring with it a whole heap of additional challenges and obstacles that we have to smile through and make time for.
Adam Domyslawski from Club Continental shares his tips on how to stay ‘strong’, both physically and mentally this Christmas.
“An unhealthy diet and a lack of regular exercise and sleep can have really adverse consequences on your well-being; both physically and mentally at any time of the year; but at Christmas we indulge that little bit more, sleep that little bit less and find it hard to find the time for our usual routines. The ingredients to a disaster! ”
Stress isn’t just a state of mind; it really impacts your physical being too. It can exacerbate nearly every pre-existing condition and can lead to the development or worsening of anxiety, depression and much more, stress really isn’t something to joke about.
It’s a real chicken and egg situation though I know! The more you are stressed and the busier you are, the less likely you are to look after yourself. But it’s essential to find the time to think about you and your body this time of year.
When you get on an aeroplane and they do their safety procedure in case of an emergency; they tell you to put your mask on before assisting anyone else. Hard to do; as your instinct is to help others first – but what help will you be if you haven’t helped yourself first? It’s the same principle with health and fitness – if you aren’t healthy and fit both physically and mentally – no one will have a good Christmas and your work load for next year will simply increase.
The key is to remember that it is essential that you find enough time in the day for you. Plan your meals so that you don’t panic and hunger buy; but instead you have it with you and ready when you are. Also, take the time to think through a little fitness throughout your week. It can be parking a little further from the office or shops; taking the stairs or simply making the time for you to work-out. It’s really essential that you find a way. Even if during this crazy we weeks it’s less than normal – a little can go a long way!”