Body positivity and Christmas do not tend to go hand in hand. It is supposed to be the most wonderful time of year, it can be really hard. From Christmas parties, to family get togethers, combined it can put so much pressure on your own mental health, your self worth and just how you feel.
I know right now I’m struggling with my body confidence, but I think because we didn’t see anyone last Christmas, this Christmas is a special. So what are my top tips on staying positive at Christmas.
Follow body positive accounts
I have talked a lot about the fact that social media can have a massive impact on the way that we feel, so honing in on the people that you follow on social media is important.
If you feel like there are accounts that make you feel less than or make you question the way you feel, unfollow.
There is nothing wrong with unfollowing, we are always changing as people so it is understandable that the people we follow and our interests will change too.
Read how social media impacts my self worth.
Your worth isn’t defined by a size
The number on your clothes doesn’t define your self worth. Let go of clothes that do not fit, and remember that beautiful bodies come in all shapes and sizes. So regardless of the number on your clothes, it doesn’t define you.
You are beautiful exactly as you are, you do not need to limit yourself, enjoy the festivities. Drink that hot chocolate, enjoy a mince pie, and just enjoy yourself. At the end of the day life is all about balance.
Enjoy family time
Christmas is a time for family and making memories. It isn’t Christmas if you haven’t argued over Monopoly – let’s be honest it happens! Here are a few things to enjoy:
- family stories with loved ones
- dance to festive songs
- enjoy creating festive bakes
- play games together
- watch movies together
- the after dinner nap
- the extra cheese course in the evening!
Family is everything at Christmas, so enjoy your time together.
Be kinder to yourself
Christmas is really hard, so give yourself a break. Don’t get stressed out about indulging in some festive treats, and if you don’t feel like socialising, that is okay.
I’m definitely the kind of person that likes to work out over Christmas, mainly because it works wonders for my mental health, so if you start to think negatively about workouts think of it as an important way to keep your mind and body healthy. Endorphins work wonders if I’m honest and I always feel much more positive after a workout.
Over the festive season, listen to yourself, be kinder and say to yourself:
- would you say this to a friend?
- if you wouldn’t, why would you say it to yourself.
If you feel like you’re struggling during the festivities, then practice a bit of self care. If you need some extra support, Mind have a list of useful contacts to use.
Read Mind’s useful contacts over Christmas.
These are my top tips! Are there any tips that you will be taking away with you? Or anything you can pass on? Let me know in the comments!
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yes – think we all need to be kinder to ourselves! we are all beautiful! social media can be such a toxic place with body image.
We all definitely need to be kinder to ourselves at this time of year! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Great tips for the upcoming festive season. It can get busy & stressful, so I think people will benefit from reading these tips.
I like the number on your clothes point. It doesn’t matter at all, but for years I didn’t like my body.
This is a really helpful reminder! As someone with disordered eating in my past and a lot of health challenges in my present, it’s really hard to navigate this season. I appreciate what you’ve written here!
Fab tips – working out definitely helps me over Christmas (and all the time!), it always makes me feel so much more positive!
Amy x
callmeamy.co.uk
This is definitely something I want to take into 2022, I’ve definitely not done a lot of working out / self care etc this year so it’s definitely something I want to focus on!
Love this post ! 🙂
Courtney x
c0urrtney.blogspot.co.uk/
Really great post and perfect timing too. I think it’s often difficult with so many social media pictures over the Christmas period. Following body positive accounts is a great idea!
This is such a great post! Tbh I’m surprised I’ve not seen more stuff surrounding bloody positivity at Christmas time because I think it’s so important. I agree with everything you’ve said here chick, especially the first point about unfollowing those that don’t make you happy. X
Yes to all, especially the last point. It is important to remember to be gentle on yourselves.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Such a great post! I always struggle to look after my body at Christmas time, I always get sucked into the same negative self-talk. So, I’ve made it my goal to say something body neutrality or positive to myself if I think of anything negative! So if my brain thinks “you shouldn’t eat much today, you ate too much yesterday”, I’m going to verbally say “my body needs food to survive everyday, and it’s Christmas so I am going to eat what I want”!
rosie x | https://rosieabigail.com/blog/
I’m so happy to be pregnant for Christmas, even though I’ll miss out on drinking and certain foods, I can’t wait to experience Christmas with my big old belly! I love your tips, body positivity is soo important and mine usually dips at this time of year when I feel I’ve over indulged
Rosie
I find the best thing to do is get rid of this notion that we eat loads in December, gain weight and then have to lose it in January. In reality, it doesn’t need to be like that. There’s only a couple of extra meals and treats and you can still eat well in between. Not because it’s about weight, but eating healthy is brilliant for your mental health and makes you feel better about yourself.
Yes, I am so here for this post sweetie!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
Holidays, and festivities should definitely be celebrated in full. It is only one to few days. Yes to staying positive and relaxing and spending good time is a healthy mental dose. Liked it. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/
This is such a great post and it’s so important to remember this around this time of year especially! Thanks for sharing!
I’m finding this so difficult this year, especially since having another baby. I think it’s safe to say I’ll avoid my weekly weigh-in on Christmas day! xx
This post is SO important! There is so much pressure around the holidays when we should be enjoying ourselves. I really liked your point of ‘worth isn’t defined by your size!’ I read a good quote once that said something along the lines of ‘How much did Rosa Parks weigh when she took a seat on the bus? How much did Malala weigh when she stood up for girls education? You don’t know? That’s because it doesn’t matter.’
https://planebeauty.co.uk
There is so much pressure on people to look good, eat healthily and not gain weight on all of us. I personally think Christmas is the time to self indulge in all the goodies, it’s Christmas after all! I hope you had a good one and were kind to yourself 🙂