Surviving Christmas

~ claire ballardie

Surviving Christmas

Christmas can be a stressful time of year for many. The pressure to ‘have a good time’ can be overwhelming. It may seem that everyone is full of joy and excitement with frantic shopping sprees, the fridge groaning with food, and dashing around to catch up with social commitments whether on-line or face to face ( social distanced, of course!).

Loneliness, anxiety and depression are all too common at this time of year, with the dread of Christmas highlighting Christmases past where memories of festivities are not happy ones. The loss of a loved on, the break-up of a relationship, financial pressures, social anxiety and family politics all add up to a very unhappy time.

Being alone at Christmas, especially this year,  is stressful for some, but others may find the absence of pressure to join in’ liberating. Being able to please yourself, watch what you want to on TV, eat what you want, when you want is a great way to treat yourself, and to care for yourself when you may feel that no-one else cares.

To survive Christmas, it can be really helpful to plan ahead. Work in time to do what you need to do. Plan time for commitments but also allow ‘time out’ for your self to escape for a while to a quiet room, or take a walk. Commit to seeing who you want to spent time with, and excuse yourself from situations you find difficult. This can be done kindly so as not to offend.

Spare a thought for those that work at this time of year, maybe in the retail and catering trades, or farming and animal care, where the job continues 365 days of the year. in all weathers.

An alternative Christmas mat be appealing. Out aside the traditions and create some new ones for yourself, Maybe going for a walk with a packed lunch instead of the big turkey meal, or volunteer at one of the many brilliant organisations that provide for others.Maybe there are others in your neighbourhood that need company.

The most important thing to survive Christmas is to look after yourself, and to treat yourself, whatever your situation. Acknowledge the needs of people around you too, but have self-respect enough to value what you would like to do/not do.

Take care through the festivities, but continue to have self-belief and to care for yourself in the coming year.

 

Best wishes, Claire

 

The Owl – Symbolism

~ claire ballardie

The Owl – Symbolism

The owl has been valued as a spirit animal, or totem for a very long time. It symbolises ancient knowledge in Native American Indian beliefs, as a soul protector at the end of life to Egyptians. The ancient Greeks saw the owl as a protector of their armies.

Having an affinity with the owl, dreaming of them, or seeing them around, or coincidentally coming across the owl in daily life may be taken as an indication to embrace what the owl may symbolise to you. There may be traits in the owl that are pertinent to you right now, or qualities the owl has that may be of benefit in your life. To discover more about why the owl is in your thoughts, meditation can be a valuable way to sense what this means to you at the moment.

Qualities of the owl:

Intuition

Intelligence

Clarity

Wisdom

Protection

Watchfulness

Finding truth

Patience

Focus

Observation

Owls can symbolise:

Exploring shadows and fears

Seeing fine details

Needing protection through Change or transition

Time to leave the past behind and move forwards

Seeing things as they really are, being aware of deception

Getting Older Gracefully

~ claire ballardie

Getting Older Gracefully

We are living longer. Nurturing our bodies and our minds is important so we can do all the things we want to do, for as long as possible. Increasing activity helps to keep your body running like a well-oiled machine: parts can seize up if they are not used.  Keep moving! Dancing to music is proven to be the best mind and body exercise going. A combination of yoga-inspired stretching and dance really improve energy levels, fitness and strength.

Maintaining a youthful outlook on life knocks years off your ‘real’ age. Apparently ’60 is the new 40′. We have the opportunity to look and feel 10 or 20 years younger with regular exercise. Improve your complexion by exercising regularly and drinking plenty of water.

Being fit helps balance and posture. It improves and prolongs quality of life, as well as exercising the brain. Practice makes perfect and improves co-ordination. It may seem daunting to take up a new activity, but self-confidence will grow as you become physically fitter.

Joining a class is a great way to meet new friends. Loneliness can be an issue as we age. It can be difficult to take the plunge to start a new activity, but exercising in a friendly and fun environment can really uplift the spirits. Feeling happy on the inside reflects in your face, and passes joy to others too!

Exercise Classes in Market Lavington and Devizes

The Importance of Good Posture

~ claire ballardie

The Importance of Good Posture

Being aware of good posture on a daily basis has many health benefits. Tension can build up in the body so easily, causing postural changes. You can get rounded shoulders from spending hours hunched over a computer, or tension in the neck from driving.  Backache can be brought on by lifting, carrying heavy shopping bags, gardening, or spending a long time sitting down. Joints and ligaments are put under duress in sports. Poor posture increases this impact and reduces performance.

Ideally attending an exercise class, such as FLexercise which focuses on posture, and maintain the correct alignment of the spine while exercising. With understanding of good posture, this can be checked at home, by looking in a mirror.

What can good posture do for you?

Sitting

Being aware of how you are sitting, at home or at work, prevents back ache. It reduces tension in the neck and shoulders and improves the function of internal organs. Feeling less tired is aided by improved breathing technique- slouching over a desk prevents the lungs from being used fully.

Wellbeing

Standing tall improves confidence, and gives the appearance of being slimmer, even dropping a dress size: a sure way to get that ‘feel good factor! Lengthening the spine, and keeping the hips and shoulders in alignment, firming the central part of the trunk, the core muscles, giving more tone to the body. Being aware of maintaining an upright posture when standing improves overall balance, walking technique and the health and alignment of the feet. Paying attention to action of the feet, how they support the body, has a huge impact on overall posture, and the spine.

Sport

Correct posture in sport reduces strain on joints and ensures muscles work properly. It decreases stress on tendons and ligaments and improves muscle strength. Body function is improved, as is core strength and mobility. Muscles can work better: they develop strength, particularly in the back and stomach muscles, and the core.

What is Anxiety?

~ claire ballardie

Anxiety

What is Anxiety? 

Anxiety can be caused by feeling helpless, having too little information, or feeling overwhelmed with too much too much information to process, to make sense of.

Feeling overwhelmed, daunted by what would normally be simple daily activities? Confused, and unable to make decisions? Anxiety can manifest as thoughts jumbling in your head, worries going around and around in your mind. Sleep may be restless and intermittent. You may feel tense, or ‘on edge’, irritable, or be unable to relax.

 

NHS Definition of Anxiety

Counselling provides a safe place to explore what the cause of your anxiety is, and help you to devise strategies for coping with it. Levels of anxiety dramatically reduce, or disappear altogether, once you understand how and why you become stressed. Planning life changes, or different ways of seeing problems can dramatically alter confidence levels and self-worth.

Meditation and mindfulness are also great ways to calm a busy mind and to give space for rational thought.