Your wellbeing at Christmas
 The festive period can be a joyful time of year for many of us as spend time with the people we love and join in with celebrations. However, it can also be a difficult time for many of us too.
We can feel guilty about over-indulgence, feel tired and stressed with all the social gatherings, or feel anxious as our normal routine is disrupted. The charity Mind found that 1 in 10 people feel unable to cope at this time of the year. Always remember - you are not alone. To help you keep your health and wellbeing in check, we have included some tips below.
Keeping active
 It can be hard to prioritise staying active during the festive season, especially when we are juggling a busy social calendar with shopping, cooking and attending get-togethers.
Regular exercise is really good for our mental health and wellbeing so it's important we keep at it whilst also enjoying Christmas. Make you read Sport England's useful tips and advice on ways you can do this for free - at home or in your area.
Managing your drinking
As Christmas approaches, it can be hard not to get carried away with family festivities and catch-ups with friends. Alcohol units can quickly add up and this will impact your health and wellbeing. Drinkaware have put together a quick guide on how to enjoy festivities while controlling how much you drink.
Managing loneliness
 There are many reasons why we can feel lonely at Christmas, and loneliness is something everyone can feel from time-to-time. If you're feeling lonely, you may find it helpful to do something productive as part of your day. This could be anything from going for a run, cleaning the house or volunteering - whatever fits best for you.
Volunteering is a particularly great way to connect with others, boost your self-esteem and bring joy to people who are less fortunate. Find out about local volunteering opportunities at HIVE Portsmouth.
Time for yourself
It's important to have some time for yourself when your mind and body can relax. Keep an eye on your routines and try to find a way to keep doing the things you do to look after your wellbeing that could be disrupted - like going for a walk or doing a hobby you love.
Know where to get support
Support services continue to be available during the festive season. Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available at all hours, 365 days a year. Find out more about EAP and how to access their services on the intranet.
We also have many local support services which you can access without needing to be referred. PositiveMinds offers informal support if you are experiencing low mood, stress or a mild to moderate mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. Available to anyone older than 18 registered with a GP in a PO1-PO6 postcode.
Talking Change is a service that provides talking therapies to help you cope and feel better if you’re struggling with low mood and anxiety, or with a physical condition such as chronic pain or fatigue. Available to anyone older than 16 living in Portsmouth and registered with a GP in the city.
The Harbour is a remote, out of hours service for those who need urgent mental health support. Available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4.30pm to 11pm on 07418 364911. If you feel uncomfortable on the phone, you can also text, web chat or use video calls to access the service. Available to anyone older than 18 in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant and East Hampshire.
Controlling your finances
 Over 41% get into debt because of Christmas according to a Mind survey. This debt can stay around for longer than we would like and ultimately impact our mental health. A few ways to avoid this include:
- Manage people’s expectations and your own in terms of buying presents – do you really need to buy a present for everyone?
- Children often don’t realise it’s an expensive time of year – let them pick one big present and then make little things or buy treats for stockings. Christmas shouldn't be about how many presents we get!
- If you do find yourself in debt, Salary Finance can help. Login to MyRewards and hover over the Benefits tab at the top of the page. Click on Salary Finance from the dropdown. They offer affordable loans and finance webinars on various topics.
You can get presents for less by using the MyRewards discounts at popular retailers including:
- 7% off at Currys with an instant eVoucher
- 6% off at Habitat with an instant eVoucher
- 5% off at John Lewis & Partners with an instant eVoucher
- 6% off at Argos with an instant eVoucher
- 20% off at Virgin Experience Days with an instant eVoucher
Accessing MyRewards discounts is easy, simply login via the employer portal or download the free MyRewards app. To download and use the app, search “Discounts by Sodexo” on your app store and login with your usual MyRewards details.
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