Wealden Times | WT224 | Nov & Dec 2020 | Christmas supplement inside

Wellbeing
6 Days of
Fitness &
Wellbeing
Sarah Maxwell shares her plans for a truly
happy and relaxed Christmas
This Christmas season is going to
be very different for many of us
so I want to give you the gift of
good health, energy and a lot less stress.
The last few months have given us
a lot of time to reflect on our future
health and wellbeing. When we think
of the word ‘fitness’, visions of burpees,
running and HIIT workouts often
spring to mind. However, many of you
will be delighted to know that these
particular activities are only a very small
element of fitness health and wellbeing.
Fitness is whatever you want it
to be, it should be something you
enjoy and makes you feel good.
This Christmas I am going to
give you something that you can use
throughout the season to support
you physically and mentally... Your
six days of Christmas health, fitness
and wellbeing will get you through
the festive season with a smile on
your face and more energy than
you know what to do with.
I will be completely honest with
you; I have spent years trying to
please everyone and create the
perfect Christmas. All I have ever
got out of the weeks of planning is
approximately 15 minutes of pleasure
and satisfaction at a job well done.
After the last few months, I have
realised that this is not how I want it
to be. My family want me to relax and
have fun with them. They couldn’t
care if the table decorations match or
if the table cloth hasn’t been ironed.
So I wish you a very Merry
Christmas and here’s to a happier
and healthier New Year.
Day 1:
Go for a 20-60 minute brisk walk
today. Take in your surroundings,
the sounds, the atmosphere. Take
deep breaths through your nose
and let your shoulders relax.
Breathing through your nose allows
you to take much deeper breaths, it
engages the lower lungs and this enables
the lungs to pump out more oxygen,
which supports your cells and maintains
healthy tissue and organ function.
Day 2:
Put on your favourite music –
something that makes you smile
and want to dance. (Christmas
songs are optional). Close your
eyes, move and enjoy.
Day 3:
Get yourself comfortable – either lie
down or sit, whatever you prefer. I
want you to close your mouth and
breathe through your nose. Visualise
the air going up through your nostrils.
Breathe in for a count of four, then
hold your breath for a count of
three, and finally breathe out deeply
through your nose for a count of
eight. As you breathe out let your
body relax. Repeat this 10 times.
Please don’t worry if your mind
wanders away. As soon as you are
aware that your attention has gone
elsewhere, just bring it back by
concentrating on your breath.
Day 4:
Many of you will have seen the yoga
tree pose. It’s supposed to take a lot
of practice to stay in that position
for a long time. If you are into yoga
then do your tree pose on each leg for
as long as you can, breathing deeply
in and out through your nose.
For those who haven’t tried yoga,
stand on one leg, with the other foot
brought up against your inner thigh,
knee brought out to the side. Bring
your palms together at the front of
your chest, elbows out, and steadily
breathe in and out of your nose.
Do this for a minute on each leg.
Day 5:
Lock the door, draw the curtains,
choose something that you’ve always
wanted to watch on TV and snuggle
down. No guilt. If you feel a sense
of guilt creeping in, throw it out
of your mind quickly and relax.
Day 6:
Water is mind and body magic.
Schedule in a good half hour to
have a soak in the bath or enjoy
a long relaxing shower. Put some
soothing music on and enjoy.
Drinking a few glasses of water a day
will keep you hydrated, especially
when those corks start popping.
Sarah Maxwell is a multiple awardwinning
Fitness and Lifestyle coach
and mum of two who juggles a lot
of balls. Find out more about Sarah
and her work at sarahmaxwell.com
Sarah shares her Fitness and Lifestyle tips
on Instagram @sarahmaxwelllifestyle
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