23 December - Play a Game Mindfully

Time for some good old-fashioned fun. One of the classic family activities around this time of year is to all sit around the table and play a good board game. Encourage your loved ones to join you, select a game together, and play.

Before you begin, make an effort to put all other concerns out of your mind. For the next hour or two, your sole aim is to be fully present in the game: to notice, experience and appreciate each moment of it.

Pay attention to what is in front of you: the to-and-fro of the game, the reactions on the faces around the table. Notice the emotions you go through as the game progresses - excitement, joy, frustration, satisfaction...

There's nothing wrong with playing competitively, as long as you don't forget to keep it fun and friendly. Lose yourself in the game and escape from the outside world for a while.

Playing reduces stress while increasing creativity and optimism.

It was a full day today.

I had a job in the morning, and before I left I cooked 2.5kg of potatoes. I grabbed my overnight oats and set off. After finishing my first job, I squeezed in some last-minute shopping, because Lentil decided to bake brownies to add to the already impressive selection of desserts and cakes that will be around over the festive days — making it all that bit harder to stay balanced.

There wasn’t enough time before my next job to eat my plant-power salad. Luckily, there was a Scotch egg in the fridge, left behind by Black Bean, which became a quick snack.

When I got back home it was 5pm. I finally sat down to eat my salad, then got on with tidying and washing up after the great brownie production. Deep breath — then chopping began. First onions and carrots for the spaghetti bolognese the kids were making for dinner. Then a lot more chopping: onions, apples, gherkins, potatoes and eggs.

The dressing came together with half mayonnaise, half Greek yoghurt, a couple of spoonfuls of gherkin liquid, mustard, salt, pepper and paprika. Two hours later, a potato salad for 12 people was ready and tucked into the fridge for tomorrow night.

By 8.30pm I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. But the kids helped with tidying up and getting organised for the festive days, and slowly things came together. I was chuffed that we got there in the end — and still well before “midnight”.

And then, just in time, we played a board game.

We were definitely present. No phones, no distractions — just the three of us around the table. Peanut won, although we’re still not entirely sure a little bit of cheating didn’t sneak in somewhere. Still, there was laughter, focus, and that lovely sense of being absorbed in something together.

After such a busy day, that simple game felt like the most mindful moment of all — a pause, a reset, and a reminder that being present doesn’t have to be quiet or perfect. Sometimes it looks like tired eyes, messy kitchens, and one last game before the day ends.

There was chaos, but there was also focus. I’m proud of what we managed together. I might squeeze in a little yoga before bed, just to do something for myself too.