We are just taking this opportunity as it is Christmas time to send you our thoughts from the Into The Light Team in this blog. We are aware that the Christmas season can be a time of mixed feelings and memories and some emotions can be particularly strong. In this particularly challenging year feelings could be especially highlighted. As well as this, some of us may have to be contact with people who have not treated us well – for whatever reason – and that can be very difficult.
We would like to say that you will be in our thoughts over this time.
We also wanted to share with you some resources and information that may be helpful to you if you are feeling a little overwhelmed during this season.
Take Your Reactions Seriously:
Do not dismiss them, and notice what effect they are having on you. Try and find someone to talk to – a good friend, support group or seek some professional help from a counsellor or service.
Ask For What You Need:
Take your mental health and emotional stability seriously. It may be that you need to have a talk with your GP to get some support.
Recognize Your Triggers:
Make a note of how situations, people and places intensify your feelings. Do they remind you of anything from your past? Could you get some support around this?
Be Kind To You:
We can really give ourselves a hard time if we believe we should always be coping when in reality we are struggling. Try to talk to yourself as you would a close friend or child that you cared about.
Get To Know Yourself:
It can be helpful to keep a diary. Notice behaviour pattens and write them down. A lot can happen in a week or even a day! Note down what is helpful to impact your emotions and what may not be. For example, if you have been through a break up it may not be a good time to watch highly romantic films on TV over the Christmas period. A pattern will start to emerge which can give you insight and choice.
Celebrate Your Strengths:
Play to these – it could be cooking, reading, a sport, walking – try and spend time each day doing something that feel good at and you enjoy.
Express Yourself:
In whatever form comes naturally to you, or try something new: writing, drawing, dancing, cooking, gardening, pottery, meditation, etc..
Validate Yourself:
Acknowledge how far you have come! As you become aware of new healthy behaviours and skills appreciate the journey you have been on.
(Source: https://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/blog/therapy/covid-19-may-be-uncovering-old-traumas-how-can-we-deal-with-these-emotions)
Don’t be afraid to reach out to other resources at this time:
A good link at this time for apps to help keeping strong mental health:
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/category/mental-health/
If you are feeling desperate and need to talk then please do contact the Samaritans – they are there for 24 hours a day and their number is 116 123 or e-mail them at jo@samaritans.org.
Into The Light Services in 2021:
We have a new Women’s Psycho-Educational Group Course On Line coming up please email for more details as we will be recruiting for this soon at info@intothelight.org.uk.
In April we have another on line workshop Email us at info@intothelight.org.uk for more information.
We are hoping to be back face to face at some point in 2021!
And finally, it is not exactly “Bake Off” But if you fancy doing some easy cooking we are enclosing a quick recipe for Christmas Shortbread: It is actually quite delicious!!
Christmas Shortbread
Ingredients:
100g/3½oz caster sugar 200g/7oz butter, softened 300g/10½oz plain flour
For the white chocolate and pistachio:
50g/1¾oz white chocolate, chopped into small pieces 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
For the chocolate and orange
50g/1¾oz chocolate (milk or dark), chopped into small pieces ½ orange, grated zest only
For the chai: 3 chai teabags
Method:
Beat together the sugar and butter in a large bowl until pale and fluffy. Stir in half the flour until combined then add the remaining flour and use your hands to bring it together. Add your chosen fillings and use your hands to bring the dough into a rough ball.
Roll the dough into a fat sausage, roughly 5cm/2in in diameter. Wrap tightly in cling film and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until solid. See tip for freezing advice.
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6 and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Unwrap the cling film and slice the sausage into 14 rounds, roughly 2cm wide. Place onto the lined tray and cook for 15–20 minutes or until the edges are beginning to brown but the tops have no colour. Leave to cool slightly and enjoy. These will keep well for at least 1 week in a sealed container, but the fresher they are the better.
(Source: www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmas_shortbread_76920)
Stay Safe and Take Care,
Nikki, Leasa, Pritti, Sadie and Rebecca (Into The Light Directors)