LIFE live it well

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Create a reverse advent calendar: Instead of opening a door each day, put a food item in a box to be taken to a local food bank nearer Christmas. It is a great way to involve children in helping those in need.

2 Reframe festive stress:

If you view the entire Christmas season as an obligation or chore, try to think about it from another angle, suggests Eve Lewis Prieto, director of meditation at Headspace. “For instance, let’s say you’re stressing out about all the gifts you have to buy – one way to reframe this situation is to take a moment to think about each person on your list and how grateful you are to have them in your life.”

6 Wear your best underwear:

Don’t save anything “for best”, suggests life coach Emma Jefferys (actionwoman.co.uk). “Wear sequins on a Monday, light a scented candle at your work desk, have a drink out of the fancy glass. Treat every day like Christmas

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Go all out in your favourite festive knit – the gaudier and glitzier the better – and make a donation to Save the Children (savethechildren.org.uk).

It’s Christmas Jumper Day:

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Experiment with recipes and find the perfect boozefree festive back-up, suggests Annie Grace, author of This Naked Mind (HQ, £9.99). “The expectation when we think about not drinking is that it’s going to be miserable. Put aside that expectation and get curious.”

Create a new mocktail: 18 Make a date for January:

“We tend to hibernate on our own in the New Year but this may be a reason why we feel somewhat low in January,” warns Dr Meg Arroll, psychologist and Healthspan ambassador. “Schedule in some relaxing lunches or a day out with friends to combat the anticlimax of Christmas and New Year celebrations.”

Invest in a new game to play with friends or family over the Christmas break: “Even reluctant teenagers enjoy a family games night,” says counsellor Suzie Hayman (agony-aunt.com): “We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of laughing, talking and eye contact – it feeds the bonds between us.”

Be a volunteer: 15 3 Greet with a smile:

Making eye contact with the servers or assistants you meet in shops and cafes today, and giving them a big smile, will brighten both your days. Don’t forget to ask them how they are too.

7 Buy a board game:

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Studies show doing something useful for others can be social, companionable, creative and fulfilling, while lifting the spirit and broadening the mind. Help out at a school Christmas fair, volunteer at a soup kitchen or make a call to an isolated, lonely person. Don’t know where to start? Visit NCVO, which supports voluntary organisations (ncvo. org.uk).

Take time out: Have an hour off from electronic screens (including phones, laptops and TVS) every day, starting today. Studies suggest those who spend more time on screen-based activities are more likely to experience depression. Read a book, take a bath, do something else you never have time to usually do instead.

19 Make your own Christmas list:

“What is it that you really want?” asks life coach Emma. “More time for yourself? Better relationships? Quality sleep? Just recognising whatever is on your list will help make it a priority.”