Christmas is Coming... #4 ... it has come!

Those here who have been clients of mine will know I always say that, apart from your recording, I never 'tell' you to do anything, and it's true, you must be the architect of your recovery, and I provide the scaffold (big enough!).

Well, I'm going to break from that none instructional approach, just here;

PUT YOUR FEET UP!!! Blame me, if anybody complains, tell them Big Al said, so there, "stuff your own turkey if you're in a hurry!".... "Gobble Gobble".

There!... no matter how frenetic, try to find oases where you can have 10 minutes to notice your breathing (use your whole lungs,,,, slow it down....), think of something in your life now that you really like and concentrate on it, close your eyes and listen very carefully, noticing everything you can hear - and that's amazing if you never have, really concentrate, have tumblers of water between alcoholic drinks, say "thank you" for presents, enjoy others thanks, ring somebody you should have rung years ago, this is a wonderful excuse.......

....and if it's not that kind of Christmas, if your family isn't close or you don't have one, if friends are few and valued, if the whole thing seems cynical and cold (I get it!), then distraction is really the answer. Get cosy, if you can, find something you like you can get involved in (book, video game), avoid the TV and Radio, stroke your dog/cat/budgie, go for a walk in nature away from crowds, maybe there's somebody you should ring too?... and if all else fails there is always somebody to talk to, 24/7.....

Samaritans  - 116 123
Childline    - 0800 1111

They are not there just for disasters or suicidal feelings, they understand that a chat can turn a miserable day into a bearable one. They know it's not always easy to talk, so you won't be rushed.... several of my colleagues work for Childline, and a couple for Samaritans too, and they understand the importance of waiting until you are ready. They will not judge, they will accept you.

It's a couple of days, enjoy it if you can, and if you can't, well, you've had dull weekends before.... that's all it is.

May I wish everybody who has been kind enough to like/follow my Facebook page a Happy and Healthy Christmas.

Alan Wick - Solution Focused Hypnotherapist
25th December 2018.