It’s dark out there, isn’t it? The evenings draw in quicker and quicker and it can be easy to feel hemmed in and frustrated – especially after the year we have had! So how can you bring more light into your life?

November sees the beginning of many festivals of light: from Bonfire night and the Hindu festival of Diwali, to the American Thanksgiving and the beginnings of the Yule celebrations making them-selves known.

No matter your nationality or religious persuasion, midwinter calls upon us to bring in the light and in any faith, ‘Be The Light’ is a constant message.

From decorating the house with lights through to trying to do a good deed every day; there are many ways we can ‘be the light’ in these dark times.

Make seasonal decorations with old jam jars and tea lights

A trip to the bargain store is a great place to start, where you can pick up cheap and cheerful decorations for your home. Get the kids making seasonal decorations, maybe decorating old jam jars and popping tea lights inside. Or if you are really crafty, collect autumn foliage to create a centrepiece for the table with conkers, pinecones, greenery and ribbon, then place a sturdy jar candle in the middle.

Candles can then be lit with a touch of ceremony at meal-times, whilst settling down or gathering as a family. If you are not into ‘Prayer’ as such then lighting a candle and sharing things you are grateful for, what good thing happened in your day or sending our wishes for others far away to be happy and healthy, are great ways to bring a sense of joy and togetherness into our lives.

As I have mentioned before, a little ritual goes a long way to bringing people together and can grow into a beloved family tradition. Taking time to centre our thoughts and focus on good things is really great for our mental health as well, and no matter how stressed or difficult your day may have been, there is always something to be grateful for.

Help children who may struggle with anxiety

If you have kids who are struggling with anxiety, this can be a good way to ‘turn it on its head’ by first encouraging them to express what they do not like, then helping them to see how this could in fact be a good thing.

Help them to understand that our struggles build character and resilience, helping us develop patience and empathy, and indeed if we never experienced the yucky things in life, the pleasures would be all the less sweeter.

And remember my favourite adage: the Universe only ever acts in your favour and for your highest good! Now there is something to think about!