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How to keep yourself busy this Christmas
If you're facing Christmas alone, or need some inspiration for keeping busy this Christmas we hope that this list of activities will help to put your mind at ease.
With many people facing Christmas alone this year, there have been many reports stressing the need for a plan and structure during the day. Having a plan with activities to carry out on Christmas Day can really help to keep your mind at rest.
With this in mind, we have made a list of suggestions to help keep yourself busy throughout the day.
Remember, if your mental health is suffering and you are in urgent need of someone to talk to, there are a number of charities that you can phone or contact online. Samaritans is one of them.
1. Watch a Christmas service online
If your local church has cancelled their physical services, or you’re playing it safe by staying at home, then why not see if there’s a Christmas service you can watch online.
2. Go for a walk
If you’re feeling up for a going for a walk, fresh air and movement can really help you both mentally and physically. Remember to follow the government guidelines and keep a safe distance between yourself and others.
3. Phone or video-call a friend or family member
You may not be able to see them in person, but a quick phone call or video call is a great way to catch up with loved ones and let them know how you’re feeling.
4. Take time out to pause and reflect
It’s been a difficult year for many and you may not feel like reflecting, but it can be helpful to gather your thoughts. You may want to have a conversation with God about them, or you may want to write them down on paper.
This can also be a moment to consider what you are grateful for, or to appreciate what you have achieved this year. It can be difficult to spot the positives in life but simple achievements such as mastering a new recipe or upping your daily step count are worth acknowledging and celebrating.
Whilst we’re on the subject of reflecting, you may wish to take advantage of our free colouring sheets. These are available to download and print on our website. Why not colour in an illustration from Patterns in the Psalms?
5. Watch a light-hearted film or television series
Sometimes a distraction from the gloomy news is just what we need as human beings. There are many online platforms out there to use or you may prefer to see what is being shown on TV. Immersing yourself in a light-hearted film can be a real mood-booster.
6. Stimulate the mind
Having time to yourself can be the ideal time to learn something new. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a new language? There are many free apps and websites you can use for this.
Maybe you’re in the mood for watching a stimulating lecture? On the SPCK YouTube channel there are number of recent webinars you can watch, including After Small Axe, the SPCK Annual Lecture, and a webinar on Resilience. Check them out here >
You may be an avid video gamer and want to stimulate the mind by playing a problem-solving game. Problem-solving is another great way to boost the mind, and you can play online with friends too.
7. Reading!
We’re ever so slightly biased here at SPCK but reading is a great way to keep yourself occupied. Not got something to read? Why not have a browse through the SPCK website and download an eBook? There are a number of eBooks to choose from, including thrilling historical novel The Cromwell Enigma, a heartfelt and funny teacher memoir Miss, What Does Incomprehensible Mean?, and a sample of the rich and wide-ranging thoughts of Rowan Williams in Rowan Williams in Conversation with Greg Garrett.
8. Cook something (and then eat it!)
As mentioned earlier, it can be a real mood booster to master a recipe and eat something delicious that you have made. Why not look up a traditional Christmas recipe, such as Christmas fruit cake or mince pies? If it's safe to do so, you could even drop off a slice or two to your neighbour.
9. Have a sort out
If a whole room is too daunting, do not worry – even starting with a small section of a room can be beneficial. Maybe you’ve been putting off organising your bookshelf or need to go through one of the kitchen cupboards to get rid of out-of-date food. Organising, or having a clear out can be extremely therapeutic.
10. Create something with arts and crafts
Much like cooking, creating something – whether that be Thank You cards, bookmarks, or if you’ve got the materials to do so – knitting a scarf or cross-stitching a design can be very rewarding and fun.
Got more ideas? Why not let us know by tagging us on social media @SPCKPublishing
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