Vitae Chat Pūrongo December 2020 Christmas: A time to survive or enjoy? KEY POINTS:
Determine your response
Plan carefully
Make a financial plan
Consider Wellbeing Strategies
Know how to access Vitae counselling
Christmas 2020 is fast approaching! Children are beginning to anticipate their gifts from Santa and adults are looking forward to a much-deserved break to connect with family and friends, especially when this year has been do so difficult. Daylight saving gives us extra hours to enjoy the BBQ and relaxing as we share connectedness, food indulgences and gifts given and received. Amongst the laughter and excitement, for some sadness, sorrow and fear can arise, triggered by stressors such as financial burdens, job insecurity, family and relationship issues or not being able to connect with family or travel like you might have hoped. Our thoughts and attitudes decide how we respond to stressors and when these are negative or out of balance, everything else is too; our wellbeing and that of the people close to us. It’s called the ripple effect and can have a wide impact. So what are the things we can do to feel empowered at Christmas time to take control to bring stability and harmony back into our lives and optimise our wellbeing?
Lean on your support network
Practice gratitude daily
Budget
Take time out for you
Engage in daily mindfulness
Practice the 5 ways to wellbeing
MAKE A BUDGET – 10 Top Tips for financial sanity If finances are a huge stressor for you, a great way to determine your income and spending ratio is with a
budget spreadsheet. Knowing what bills are due, what
presents you need to buy, and what your expenses are at this time of year can help you to prioritise where your money needs to be spent. Pay your essential bills – rent/mortgage, power, phone etc. before your Christmas goods. Check your bank statement to see what you spent over Christmas last year. Beware of Christmas hampers and offers Decide before going shopping how much you have available to cover Christmas needs. Having a written plan helps keep you to your limit. Sales and specials pop up regularly; make use of them and avoid leaving gift-buying until the last minute which can lead to panic and overspending Think about your income – remember that your holiday pay or advance benefit payments have to stretch over a time of year when spending is high. Discuss gift buying/giving with your family. You might decide to give one special present to each or perhaps only to the children. Set maximum amounts. Home-made gifts – everyone loves your special Russian caramel! And the grandparents would much prefer a special piece of children’s art to another pair of socks! Vouchers are a great way to give an experience to be shared later – letting a child choose a favourite meal, make a date for a summer picnic Don’t forget to teach the children about the value of giving vouchers – clean the car, bring the parents breakfast in bed … be creative! If you are hosting Christmas dinner, ask others to bring a plate or something to drink. Share the work and cost load Remember the expense that will come in January and the back-to-school cost that have to be covered. (Thanks to Money Talks)
Vitae Chat Pūrongo December 2020 Christmas: A time to survive or enjoy? Continued... Now that you know you can afford to, relax and have fun! Outlined below are helpful suggestions that will empower you to take control of your Christmas stressors and allow you to optimise your wellbeing and enjoy the festive season. WELLNESS STRATEGIES (Stress Busters) PHYSICAL HEALTH: Adequate sleep
SPIRITUAL HEALTH: Develop an awareness of the connectedness of creation Be clear about the values that guide your life What is it that gives your life meaning and hope? Practice prayer / meditation Grow your wellbeing by practicing these 5 Ways to Wellbeing
Enlivening exercise Good nutritional habits - regular meals, balanced diet, moderate alcohol Maintain appropriate weight Adequate rest and relaxation Deep breathing Pacing yourself MENTAL HEALTH: Take time to laugh Make time to read or enjoy hobbies Do a balance of activities that use both sides of the brain Deal with and heal unresolved feelings Accentuate the positive and reduce the negative
Christmas is a time for reflection on the year that was, a time for great food, family and friends and it’s a time to take care of ourselves by integrating small changes throughout our day to experience happiness, laughter and joy. It can be the magical and refreshing time of year intended.
Forgive yourself for being human Prioritise and set goals - manage your time Be spontaneous - live in the now WHANAU/RELATIONAL HEALTH: Make time to enjoy your family and friends
Take responsibility for your own feelings Develop communication skills Deal with conflict openly and honestly Negotiate roles and expectations Forgive others for being human too Learn to say no
If life isn’t going well and you need some help to get sorted, contact Vitae to make an appointment to speak with a counsellor.
Freephone 0508 664 981
Vitae Chat PĹŤrongo December 2020
Community zoom workshops 2021 ($50 per participant) Date
Time
Topic
Tuesday 16 February
11.00-12.00
Managing Mental Wellbeing
Wednesday 24 February
1.00-2.00
Tuesday 2 March
1.00-2.00
Understanding Stress & Building Resilience Managing Mental Wellbeing
Wednesday 17 March
11.00-12.00
Managing Mental Wellbeing
Tuesday 23 March
11.00-12.00
Wednesday 31 March
1.00-2.00
Understanding Stress & Building Resilience Managing Mental Wellbeing
Tuesday 6 April
1.00-2.00
Thursday 15 April
11.00-12.00
Tuesday 20 April
11.00-12.00
Wednesday 28 April
1.00-2.00
Understanding Stress & Building Resilience Understanding Stress & Building Resilience Managing Mental Wellbeing Understanding Stress & Building Resilience
To register please email: Leeannah.pohe@vitae.co.nz include your name, email address, workplace and billing manager or approved PO order number.