Cranberry Sauce and Self-Care

Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses is a song that has rightfully made it onto many a festive playlist over the past 40 years. Written by someone who didn’t even like Christmas, it tells the story of two people who finally meet when they both pop out for some last-minute cranberry sauce and find a Hallmark-esque happy ending.

Pandemic or no pandemic, searching for cranberry sauce in a supermarket on Christmas Eve doesn’t sound like our idea of fun. Our two heroes obviously considered it an essential part of their celebrations though. Getting around to the other theme of this article, we’d like you to think of self-care in just the same way this Christmas.

A pre-COVID YouGov survey revealed that despite all the merriment, our mental health can take quite a beating at this time of year. Results showed that on average, just under half of us are likely to feel stressed in December, while around a third of us will experience anxiety. Add in some Omicron uncertainty and a foster child or two and we’re pretty sure those numbers could increase. So, we’d like to remind you to take care of yourselves.

Self-care is something we often neglect at busy times, but it is an effective way to stave off stress and anxiety. It’s not about cramming in something else into your schedule, it’s simply about taking some time out to rest, re-set and re-energise – because you matter too.

The ideal self-care package will look different for each of us, but why not try including space for a hobby? Reading, knitting, watching a football match and listening to music or a podcast are all great ways to zone out for a while. Having a bath can also help you feel really relaxed, especially if you add candles and remember to lock the door. Sleep studies show naps can work wonders too. Yes, naps for grown-ups! If you don’t want to go as far as sleep, these breathing exercises are designed to combat stress. At the other end of the spectrum, getting out for a walk or run can be a real mood-booster and energiser thanks to fresh air, natural light and endorphins.

As well as specific activities, self-care can also involve your general lifestyle choices. Something as basic as ensuring we drink enough water and get our five-a-day during the Christmas chocolate-fest will leave our bodies and minds feeling much healthier. Another idea is to avoid pressure from comparisons. Deciding to check Instagram and not compare your Christmas to that of other families is fantastic for self-care. The laws of Christmas are very flexible, after all.

Speaking of social media, going screen-free, watching videos of dogs on YouTube or jumping on WhatsApp to connect with a friend can all be great for self-care – do whatever works best for you at the time.

So, whether you’re a fan of cranberry sauce or not, please don’t forget self-care over the next couple of weeks. We hope you have a happy, healthy time and enjoy making the season special for any children in your care. Merry Christmas from everyone here at Footprints!