Self-care during the festive season – advice from the Devon Wellbeing Hub

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust on 16th December, 2024

The festive period can be filled with excitement and joy, but it can also be an overwhelming time with various pressures and challenges.

As we approach the end of another year, Lau Harp, a Psychotherapist in the Devon Wellbeing Hub, explains how we can easily fall into a judgement mind-set where we feel guilty for the things we haven’t achieved. However, they encourage us to use this time of year to reflect on all we have accomplished instead and practice some self-care to help us thrive.

Lau said: “The culture in which we live is very much focussed on a ‘new year, new start’ mentality. Whilst there is the potential for the feeling of a new chapter to bring a sense of hope and empowerment, what often comes before that is an idea that we are in some way not ‘good enough’ as we are. If you’re not glowing with joy this year, or any year, it’s OK and it also makes sense - it’s a tough time. If we give ourselves the space to acknowledge that, it can help us to develop more kindness towards ourselves.

“Using this time of year to reflect on all that we have achieved so far might enable us to see ourselves in a more compassionate light. This is why simple mindfulness practices, such as gratitude journals, can be such a helpful tool. This is the perfect time of year to reframe what it means to be ‘successful’ or dare I say, ‘good enough’. It’s not all about the shiny stuff: the big promotion or the new relationship. Sometimes it’s that hot morning coffee on a frosty day, the walk with a friend we haven’t seen in months, or the supportive work colleagues that carry us through with love and care and never fail to bring in the decent biscuits! These are the experiences that offer us an ongoing sense of calm, joy and contentment.

“As an act of self-care throughout this festive period, I’d encourage you to listen to what you need, take some time to appreciate all you’ve achieved this year, and note all of the things that help you to thrive.”

Get in touch:

If you work in healthcare, social care or the police in Devon, you can contact the Devon Wellbeing Hub for free, confidential support. Please get in touch by emailing dpt.devonwellbeing@nhs.net or by calling 0300 303 5455. You can also fill out the simple referral form on the Devon Wellbeing Hub website.

Please note, our opening hours over the festive period are slightly different - please see our amended hours below: