What is Novent and how can it enhance your wellbeing?

You’ve heard of Advent, but have you discovered Novent yet?

This new Swedish trend is all about moving away from stressful holiday traditions and activities and embracing more intentional and meaningful ones.

What is Novent?

The word is a combination of November and Advent and was first coined by the Olsson family in Sweden during 2014. They started it three Sundays before the start of Advent and the fourth week of Novent was celebrated with the beginning of Advent. It was a way for them to enjoy the positive aspects of Christmas longer and to enter the season with mindful intention.

It has also merged into creating a hygge environment in your home and workplace to help make the grey November days more pleasant. This can involve bringing out the fairy lights, lighting candles, having warm throws at hand, bringing outdoor greenery inside with pot plants and sprigs in vases, diffusing some aromatherapy and having quite background music on. It's about adding some Christmas inspired decor without going all out Christmassy.

This year Novent started on 10 November, so we are currently in week two.

How can you embrace Novent?

Rather than being seduced by all the Christmas paraphernalia in the shops, which starts earlier and earlier every year, take some time to:

Reflect on the year so far

Grab a warm drink, a beautiful notebook and find a comfy seat to think about the highlights and lowlights of your year? What will take forward into the new year? What will you drop or change?

Prioritise selfcare

As above grab a warm drink, a beautiful notebook and find a comfy seat. Make a list of all the selfcare things you like to do.

Prioritise and schedule in at least one a week or daily if you can.

Say No to demands that don’t bring you joy or energise you

Start to become comfortable with not feeling guilty about politely saying no to protect your time and energy. For example, say no to an invite: “Thank you so much for inviting me! I really appreciate it, but I’m going to have to pass this time. have a wonderful time.” Or say no to a traditional activity: “This year, I’m focusing on simplifying the holidays, so I’ve decided not to participate in /do X”

Say Yes to things that uplift you

Meet up and connect with people who uplift you and activities that bring you joy such as late autumn walks, reading a book in a cozy nook, baking some seasonal treats or making a foraged wreath.

Practice gratitude daily to help you avoid the traps materialism and FOMO.

Each morning think of three things you are grateful for and each evening think of three things or people that uplifted you in the day.

What are the wellbeing benefits of Novent?

Encourages mindfulness

Novent focuses on being rather than doing. Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or simply spending quiet evenings, it allows you savour the present moment.

Reduces seasonal stress

Novent gives you permission to avoid over-committing your time and / or finances, creating more time for selfcare to help avoid burnout.

Enhances mental health

By avoiding the pressures to overconsume or overachieve during the pre-holiday season, Novent helps minimize feelings of overwhelm or comparison.

Strengthens relationships and emotional health

Without the distraction of holiday must-dos you have the opportunity to deepen connections with people you like, love and care for through meaningful conversations and shared, low-stress activities.