5 Ways to Beat the Stress this Christmas

1. Delegate. Everyone likes to feel wanted and to be involved. Give specific tasks to family and friends, ask everyone to contribute by bringing food. This way you don’t have to do it all and everyone can participate. Relinquishing control allows you to feel generous and encourages togetherness, embracing the very spirit of Christmas.

2. Take time out. When it feels too overwhelming take one minute (60 seconds) away from everyone and slow your breathing. On every exhalation let go of the tension and on the inhalation breathe in calm and peace. It may be helpful to picture the out breath as red or black and your calm inhalation as sky blue or sunny yellow. This does not take long and the benefits you will experience are well worth it.

3. Remember, just because its Christmas doesn’t mean you have to catch up with everyone you know. Make some catch-ups in January instead. This way, everyone will be more relaxed and have more time to spend.

4. Exercise. Don’t stop moving! We all know exercise is good for you both mentally and physically. The evenings are long now, so take advantage of it and go for a walk after dinner. Enjoy the local Christmas decorations (I find there are plenty to have a laugh over!), wildlife and sunsets. Appreciate all that is around you and smile.

5. Shop online. There is so much stimulation and assault to the senses in the shops and shopping centres that, combined with the crowds, this can contribute to raising your stress levels. If it is unavoidable that you must go the shops, try to have plenty of time so you don’t get caught up in the rush and hustle of everyone around you. I often find it is entertaining to observe the other shoppers and smile at the urgency they are caught up in concerning just one day.

Thank you to ‘becoming minimalist’ for their excellent quote:

"No holiday should manipulate you to the point where you’re going into debt just to show someone you love them"

Are you still feeling stressed? Make an appointment before it gets too much, and I can help you get on top of it, so you can enjoy this Christmas.