Whether you're a verified Santa's little helper,
or an out and out Grinch, we can all find the festive season overwhelming at times.
Christmas is the "Most wonderful time of the year". But it can also be the most busy, most expensive and have some of the highest expectations. Ironically the pressure to "enjoy the day" can itself create a bulging to do list and you might find yourself feeling more overwhelmed than merry!
Stress at any time of year can lead to chronic health complications so we have put together our top tips for keeping on top of the seasons stresses so you can get back to enjoying the fun stuff!
Prioritising your Christmas Lists
Christmas lists aren't just for Santa. Most people find they have a fair few of their own at this time of year, shopping lists, people to see, work to get done before the break. When all of that sits on top of an already busy lifestyle it can be hard to know where to start. Working through the lists to see what you can, and importantly what you can't change is a useful and empowering way to cut through the noise and get your priorities ticked off.
Download our FREE workbook for Prioritising your Christmas To Do's.
One essential for your list...
Find a little time for yourself
When life gets busy, it's often the things that make us feel better that fall off the list first. Making time for exercise, yoga, meditation and even sleep can seem like a luxury throughout much of December. But to make the most out of the holiday season, you need to be looking after yourself as much as any of your guests.
One way to do this is to get to know your "Resilience Factors". Think about the things that make you feel better when the going gets tough. Everyone has different resilience factors, it might be going for a walk, calling a friend, baking a cake or simply getting more sleep. You may even find that different ones work better at different times. The important thing is knowing what they are, so as soon as you notice your stress levels rising, you are armed with your toolbox of options to help before you reach overwhelm.
If you would like to find out more about understanding your own stress response and resilience factors, have a look at one of our Countryside One Day Workshop Retreats.
Or follow us on Instagram to see our new regular Self Care Sundays.
Christmas is about Community
Okay, so this one might seem like a cliche, but it really is true. Christmas is a fun and sociable time, but for some it can also be a difficult or even lonely time of year. Multiple research studies have shown us that two of the most reliable ways to help your own mood and perception of quality of life is to do something to help others and to have a strong sense of community. And Christmas is exactly the ice breaker we could all do with to get ourselves out there. Whether you go along to a local carol concert, volunteer at a charity kitchen or even invite someone for tea who you know lives alone. The studies show us that not only might you be making someone else's Christmas but you might just be making your own too!
Get out in nature
If all else fails, wrap up warm, step outside, take a breath and take a walk. Simple, effective and free, many people find the change of scenery and quick endorphin hit they get from a brisk walk is all they need to break out of their current thought pattern. Sometimes this might be just the thing to return with a new perspective on whatever Christmas challenge you are working on.
Gratitude is not just for Christmas
A regular gratitude practice is one of the easiest ways to guide our brains to look for the positives among life's challenges. People who practice just a few minutes of gratitude daily have repeatedly been shown to have lower levels of stress, lower blood pressure, less anxiety and rate their happiness higher. Whilst this practice works all year round, Christmas is a great time to start. Simply write down each evening the things you were most grateful for, seeing family or friends, that freshly baked mince pie, a card from an old friend. They don't have to be big things, just a collection of small things that make you feel grateful. Try this for just 2 minutes for 21 days and you'll be on your way to a great 2020!
Download our FREE Gratitude Journal Templates to get you started
READ MORE about How Gratitude Changes your Brain here...
"The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see!"
Mary Davis