Reduce Your Stress Levels This Christmas

Andy Williams wasn’t wrong when he said it’s is the most wonderful time of the year; the lights, the decorations, that festive feeling. But for a lot of us Christmas is also the busiest, most expensive and often a reasonably stressful time, too. Throw in a pandemic and, well, Santa might have to wrestle the brandy bottle out of our hands this year.

Financial pressure and social obligations can be leading factors in festive season related anxiety. And of course, like the rest of 2020, December is going to look a little different thanks to ongoing restrictions.

Here are a few ideas to help your Christmas run smoothly.

Say no to guilt

We’re in an unprecedented situation where, for perhaps the first time ever, we will have to make tough choices on which family members we won’t see over the Christmas period. This time of year is all about coming together and many of us may feel uncomfortable about having to say no to certain family members or limit gatherings. It’s hard; of course, we all want to be with our favourite people this Christmas, perhaps even more so than normal after the year we’ve just had. Remove any guilt by reminding yourself that we are in a global pandemic, we are doing this to keep each other safe and live in the knowledge that things will be very different next year. Also, thank goodness for Zoom!

Limit spending

It’s easy to put the blinkers on when it comes to splurging in the run up to the big day. With so many stores offering credit options and increasing pressure on parents and carers to create a perfect Christmas, it’s worth remembering that credit doesn’t mean free and those bills do add up. If you have a big family to buy for, why not introduce the idea of Secret Santa to help keep costs down? Alternatively, you can take a look at our tips on how to make Christmas kinder to the planet and your wallet in the process. Also, don’t be afraid to ask those coming to celebrate with you to bring a dish or a bottle of something. And most importantly, don’t get sucked into the hype. Christmas is what you make it and sharing it with those nearest and dearest to you is what matters, not spending the GDP of a small island nation.

Enlist your own little helpers

Don’t carry the burden of throwing a celebration on your own. Ask for help, be it from your partner or little ones. Yes, it’s Christmas. Yes, it’s all about the kids. Yes, they’re on their school holidays. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get stuck in and do their bit to help. Beds still need to be made, toys still need to be tidied and washing still needs to be folded, on top of presents being wrapped and a feast prepared. Don’t feel bad about dropping the S-bomb (Santa!), or if your kids are older perhaps pointedly reminding them about what they’ve asked for on the big day before requesting their help washing the sprouts; if it saves you a job then it’s worth using all the tricks up your sleeve!

Keep on moving

As tempting as it to plant ourselves firmly on the sofa from the start of advent until the New Year, this won’t do anything for our mental health. Exercise is proven to reduce stress and increase endorphins, so even if it’s a brisk walk around the block with the dog, try and keep up with some physical activities. While there is absolutely no doubt that Christmas is a time to enjoy ourselves and relax, your mind and body will be happier for the movement and those extra Quality Street won’t count as much!

Make time for you

As impossible as it may seem, a little time out to watch a holiday film (The Holiday being an excellent choice!), have a bath or read a book will do wonders for your stress levels, so give yourself the gift of five minutes peace when you need it. You’ll feel refreshed and recharged to carry on with your to-do list, which, let’s face it, doesn’t get any smaller this time of year!

Hopefully one or more of these tips will help things be a little more “all is calm, all is bright” and little less “bah humbug” come the 25th

Written with love, by Roxy x