SEASONAL SELF-CARE

Festives invites mounting? Follow psychologist Linda Blair’s tips before you RSVP

SHOULD If you think, ‘I should go’ – beware. ‘Should’ is either about pleasing other people or upholding an image you’ve created. It’s not about being yourself. The ideal invite will make you think, ‘I love that, that’s always a laugh – even when it’s stupid, it’s always a good story later.’ RE-ENERGISE Use the Alexander Technique for a 10-minute recharge. Ready? Lie on your back with your head supported by a book. Bend your knees with your feet on the floor and place your hands on your ribcage. Take 50 breaths: in through your nose, hold, then out through your mouth. SKIP OUT For the events you simply can’t avoid, decide what time you’ll leave before you arrive and warn the host in advance to nix an awkward, drawn-out exit. You could even offer to help cook or tidy up beforehand, so you can spend more time with the host and justify an earlier exit.