Winter Wellbeing with Kidney Wales
The 2020 holidays will be very different for a lot of us. You may have to find a new way to celebrate or make arrangements to stay away to protect yourself or someone vulnerable. Here is a calendar put together with you in mind. The activities, wellness exercises and resources have been carefully selected to be accessible to you throughout the month of December.
This wellbeing calendar has been put together to help you through this wintery month. Use it for ideas and prompts. How ever you chose to follow along, please always bear in mind your individual circumstances. If you have had specific tailored advice from a health care professional or from your renal dietitian, regarding your renal diet and fluids, please always follow that advice first.
Let the fun begin!
Download, print and keep it on the fridge!
KW_Winter Wellbeing Activity Calendar
Tuesday 1st December
Today is the fifth anniversary of the introduction of the Welsh opt out legislation for organ donation law! Read David’s poem and have a go at writing your own.
Wednesday 2nd December
Watch or record ‘Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas’ on Channel 4 5pm this evening for some Christmas crafting inspiration.
Thursday 3rd December
How much water have you had today? Are you monitoring your fluid intake? Are you on restricted fluids or being encouraged to drink plenty of water?
Friday 4th December
Use this Friday to have a quiet night in. Light some incense candles and make your favourite Christmas beverage, being mindful of your fluid volumes.
Saturday 5th December
Check out Kidney Care UK recipes. Share your favourite recipes and creations with us all month using #RenalRecipes #KidneyWales . Find there recipes here https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/living-kidney-disease/kidney-kitchen/recipes/?categories=4 we like the look of the sausage Christmas tree.
Sunday 6th December
Take moment to do a breathing exercise with Sina Gerhand, Trainee Clinical Psychologist from Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board https://www.kidneywales.cymru/news/2020/08/10/9072/
Monday 7th December
Are you a female with CKD, age 18-50? Complete The Welsh Kidney Research Unit survey on pregnancy choices. https://cardiff.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ckd-engage
Tuesday 8th December
Try making Christmas gift tags using old or unused old Christmas cards. Cut the front design off your old or unused Christmas cards, punch a hole in them and attach them to gifts with ribbon. Use the blank side to write your message.
Wednesday 9th December
We should all be listening to our bodies. Are you itchy? Make sure you check your levels.
Thursday 10th December
Having a virtual cuppa with a friend, family member or colleague
Friday 11th December
Go Christmas light spotting in your neighbourhood
Saturday 12th December
DIY Christmas garland or wreath. Hobby Craft have all the information you need here
https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/decor-hobbies/how-to-make-a-traditional-artificial-wreath
Sunday 13th December
It’s the day of our Charity Abseil! Our supporters are challenging themselves to abseil from the Newport transporter Bridge. Lets challenge ourselves at home, today we should try adding less or no extra salt to your food?
Monday 14th December
Check your dialysis schedule. Make sure you are on top of your medication too.
Tuesday 15th December
Make a shared Christmas Playlist
Wednesday 16th December
Say ‘Thank You’ to someone. Let them know they are appreciated.
Thursday 17th December
Christmas and Winter Welling tips with Renal Psychologists
Watch here
Dr Kate Shakespeare, Dr Nichole Parish and trainee Clinical Psychologist Rebecca Chan discuss Christmas time, related distress, isolation and what can be helpful to do when we feel this way.
They talk about the additional pressure that might be put on our emotional and mental wellbeing and how we can actively work to take better care of ourselves and the people around us. Whether you are a patient, family or friend, we will share ideas, based on evidence, about how to mitigate feeling isolated over Christmas or taking care of oneself if we have feelings of isolation
Friday 18th December
Don a festive jumper and donate. Tag us in your selfies @kidneywales #KidneyWales
You can donate through our Facebook page or through our website.
Saturday 19th December
Have a Christmas movie night! The Kidney Wales team have chosen some of their favourites… We’ll let you decide what is or is not considered a Christmas movie.
Sunday 20th December
You are not alone. Please don’t suffer in silence.
SHOUT https://giveusashout.org/get-help/ or text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/ or call 116 123 Free
Mind https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool
Monday 21st December
Go for a wintery walk and take photographs of the scenery. Share your photos with us. #KidneyWalesWinter .
Tuesday 22nd December
Make a good old-fashioned potato stamp for DIY wrapping paper. Use brown recyclable packing paper for a rustic look.
Wednesday 23rd December
Take a selfie in your favourite Christmas hat! Share it with us on social media and tag @kidneywales .
Christmas Eve
Make a kidney friendly hot, mulled, or spiced drink. Share your favourite with us using #KidneyWales and always be mindful of your fluid volumes.
Christmas Day
Let’s watch some Christmas TV specials – The team have pulled together some of their favourites on our website.
Boxing Day
Sleep is so important for our bodies and our health. Treat yourself to a little nap today.
Sunday 27st December
Have a DIY at home pamper night? Maybe you received Christmas gifts you could use.
Monday 28th December
Use up your Christmas day leftovers. Jamie Oliver can always inspire some ideas.
https://www.jamieoliver.com/christmas/collection/leftovers/
Tuesday 29st December
let’s share some kidney facts! Share your facts and tips with us #TipTuesday
Wednesday 30th December
Spend some time having a good house clean and be mindful to recycle.
New Years Eve
Go on a mindful walk alone or with people in your bubble.
2021
Take time to do a reflection exercise. Write a letter to your younger self.