Just some fun facts and food for thought.
So yesterday we celebrated the Winter Solstice which marks the shortest day of the year, the 'official' start of winter, and from now on the days will start to get longer. The 'Solstice' marks the point where the sun is shining at its most southerly point over the Tropic of Capricorn. In pagan traditions it marks the re-birth of the Sun, and in Christian traditions it is linked to Christmas and the birth of God's son, Jesus. Whatever your traditions and beliefs, it marks new beginnings, a promise of hope, a looking forward to the new year ahead, with warmer, longer days.
So maybe we can use this time, metaphorically, to help us reflect on our year, which for some may have been marked with sadness and darkness of losing loved ones, personal tragedies, poor health, and for some has been marked with joy, hope and triumphs. Whatever your situation or circumstances, maybe we can all tune into and move with the changing seasons, to find some light out of darkness, hope out of despair, and joy out of sadness. Take time over the festivities if you can, to get out into the winter sun and go for a walk in the fresh air, have a digital detox, and enjoy time alone or with others in this beautiful world of ours, so full of promise for the year to come.
Practicing mindfulness can also help you centre on the here and now, the present moment, and can help control those anxious thoughts that seek to hijack you when you're not expecting it. Here are a couple of links to get you started:
open.edu/openlearn/health-s...
mindful.org/meditation/mind...
mentalhealth.org.uk/podcast...
Stay well. Keep our crisis support helplines handy over the holidays.
Best wishes.
XX
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