A different kind of advent calendar- there’s something for everyone to help boost your mental and physical health this winter.
Follow our 12 days of winter wellbeing advent calendar for some great ideas to give yourself a physical and mental boost this festive season. With options every day for mind & soul, body and lifestyle from our Health & Wellbeing Team.
Day 1
Mind and soul
Listen to a relaxation and guided meditation with our wellbeing expert Kiran, and let her help you achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.
Body
Charlotte Bourke, Personal Trainer, takes you through a gentle pilates class to help your wellbeing. This class is perfect for beginners who want to build a solid foundation.
Lifestyle
Get organised! Make a to-do list including any household chores, personal errands and study deadlines for the next 12 days.
Day 2
Mind and soul
Listen to an uplifting & inspiring podcast such as Happy Place with Fearne Cotton.
Body
Why not try some posture balancing exercises for your lower body?
Lifestyle
Read our blog on how to boost your positivity and wellbeing this holiday.
Day 3
Mind and soul
Personal trainer, Charlotte, takes you through some relaxation and breathing techniques to help you through this difficult time.
Relaxation and guided breathing video
Body
Lucy Alderman, Exercise Referral Instructor, goes through a full-body workout which just uses the weight of your body to help strengthen and tone muscles.
Lifestyle
Tick something off your to do list that you have been putting off for a while.
Day 4
Mind and soul
Personal trainer, Charlotte Bourke, takes you through some simple stretches to help you relax and get a better sleep.
Pre-bed stretches guided video
Body
Get out for a walk! Why not try walking down a street you have never walked down before?
Lifestyle
Feeling stressed or anxious? Here are our top 7 ways to help manage this.
Day 5
Mind and soul
Resident wellbeing expert Kiran leads you through a 10-minute meditation that will leave you feeling happy and content.
Body
Group Exercise Instructor, Gerry, leads you through a Hatha yoga flow to improve flexibility and wellbeing. Repeat as many times as you like.
Lifestyle
Give back! Today try to do two nice things for someone else, however grand or small the gesture.
Day 6
Mind and soul
Get creative and make an origami Gryphon or two (ok, it’s a crane) for your Chistmas tree!
Body
Leeds has an abundance or parks to keep you busy this winter break and they’re all beautifully unique! Get your steps in whilst exploring these beautiful green spaces throughout the city.
Lifestyle
Why not try one of our delicious recipes? We recommend making these vegan coconut balls, a great idea for a Christmas gift!
Day 7
Mind and soul
Take a listen to the Grounded Sleep podcast. In this sleep meditation podcast series, you will experience how to sleep peacefully. You don’t have to do anything except get into bed, close your eyes, and allow David to guide you into a deep, peaceful rest. It’s important that all of us get the rest that we need that we recharge.
Body
Why not try some posture balancing exercises for your upper body with Lucy?
Lifestyle
Don’t forget to connect! Staying connected with others is a little harder than usual. Be the first to pick up the phone and catch up with a friend.
Day 8
Mind and soul
Read a book or learn about something new! How about reading up on the benefits of physical activity.
Body
Charlotte Bourke, Personal Trainer, takes you through the second part of her gentle pilates class to help your wellbeing. This class is perfect for beginners who want to build a solid foundation.
Lifestyle
Why not try another new recipe from our website? We recommend pitta pizzas or sweet potato jackets.
Day 9
Mind and soul
Go for a mindful walk. Avoid listening to music, instead focus on your surroundings using all your senses: thinking about what you can see, hear, feel and smell.
Body
Feeling a little restless? Check out our recommended five great walks you can do in Leeds.
Lifestyle
Send a card or letter to a friend or family member (you could stop by a post box / office whilst you’re getting your 10,000 steps in!)
Day 10
Mind and soul
Why not get the pencils out and try some mindful colouring? There are lots of different images you can download and print.
Body
Group exercise instructor Michelle takes you through a full body HIIT circuit workout to work your muscles and get your blood flowing.
Lifestyle
Have you completed your to do list? What else can you get ticked off today before the year ends?
Day 11
Mind and soul
Listen to a new podcast. Join Local mountain instructor, Kirsty Pallas as she takes you on a breath-taking journey along this incredible Scottish Glen including some of her favourite locations, and describes why the Glen is so special to her.
Body
The final installation of our three part Pilates series with Charlotte.
Lifestyle
Make a list of your goals for the new year and any new year’s resolutions.
Day 12
Mind and soul, Body and Lifestyle
Rest! Happy New Year from the Sport and Physical Activity team.
