HOW TO ENJOY THE FESTIVE SEASON WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SH*T
“Whenever I get a headache I take two aspirin and keep away from children, just like the bottle says.”
Ahhh…December. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire while we deck the halls with boughs of holly.
Or is the reality more like panic shopping for presents and spending money you don’t have, worrying if the turkey is big enough and if it will fit in the oven or dreading the mother in law staying for a week and what she’ll say to annoy you this year?
If it’s the latter, then in the words of Mrs Doubtfire, “Help is on the way, dear!”
Since Christmas 2020 was cancelled I am sensing that a lot of people are feeling like they have to make up for it by going all out this year. But with double the celebrations inevitably comes double the stress. The pressure to make it the biggest and best yet can cause emotions to run high, here are a few tips on how to avoid ‘festive fatigue’…
DON’T OVERCOMMIT
It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of party season but saying yes to every invite may not be in your best interest. After being locked down last year it will be very tempting to go to every event, even the ones you perhaps wouldn’t normally bother with. Protect and preserve your energy by setting clear boundaries and don’t be afraid to say no. Minimise the time you spend with people who drain you mentally and you’ll enjoy the time with those you value so much more. You may feel obliged for fear of upsetting someone or being labelled as a party pooper but your wellbeing should always be uppermost in your mind. Remember, if someone reacts negatively when you politely decline their invite that is their issue, not yours.
SET A BUDGET
Present buying can get seriously out of hand and be a major source of stress, especially if you have a large family or lots of close friends. Of course you will want to be generous and get something for everyone but if it means you start the new year broke and/or in debt to credit card companies it’s just not worth it. Setting a limit on the amount or price of presents is a good start but make it clear that that is your intention. I have one friend who has a strict £100 budget per (her own) child at Christmas. Another, who has a very large family, does a Secret Santa with a £50 limit. That way everyone gets something and nobody feels like a Scrooge.
DO IT YOUR OWN WAY
Don’t feel like you have to do things just because that’s how it’s always been done or because others expect it a certain way. If cooking a full on roast dinner for 10 gives you sleepless nights then perhaps arrange for every guest to bring a different dish, do a buffet-style spread or even go out for Christmas dinner. Everyone should celebrate in the way that is going to bring most pleasure, not the most stress. If you want to stay home and keep it intimate then do so. If you want to ditch traditional activities and do something different, then you can. There is no right or wrong way to spend Christmas. Do whatever makes you happy.
PRACTICE GRATITUDE
With so much emphasis on consumerism at this time of year it is easy to forget to be grateful for what we already have. Shifting our mindset to one of abundance by appreciating the things that are in our lives can do wonders for our wellbeing. Adopting a regular gratitude practice helps to keep us grounded, re-enforce a sense of connectedness and enhance positive emotions. If you have kids, why not start a new family tradition and get them to write a gratitude list on Christmas Eve?
ENJOY SOME QUIET TIME
Aha! You didn’t think I’d get through this entire post without mentioning meditation, did you? You probably already know that I’m a huge advocate of spending time in stillness and at Christmas it can be a real sanity-saver! Making sure you get enough rest is essential and through meditation you can give your body the deep healing rest it needs. Carving out some time every day to sit quietly and let your thoughts flow can help reduce any stress that’s building. I recommend adopting a morning practice: just 15 minutes before you have coffee, check your phone or shower can set your day up for more success, less stress. I do a visualisation meditation every morning to remind myself what my ultimate goal is and what steps I can take throughout the day to bring it closer. Try visualising your perfect Christmas and then what action you need to take to make it happen. With a clear aim it’ll be easier to avoid stressful situations.
So these are just a few ways to stay sane this December. I'll be enjoying a peaceful month of self-nurture and non-Christmassy things - the easiest way of all to avoid festive fatigue!
Wishing you all a calm Christmas and stress-free New Year.
Kx