Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, a time to spend with your family and friends.
Lots of parties, gift exchanges with family and friends, Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, Christmas lights adorning houses along each street and of course Santa Claus at each and every shopping centre.
What could be the downside of all of that, it sounds like a joyful time for one and all. Maybe in a Christmas movie, but in reality the stress that all of this can cause isn’t something to be ignored. A to-do-list that is three pages long doesn’t fill me with joy, rather it fills me with dread and feelings of stress and anxiety.
So, how do I find my Christmas Spirit? I know its hidden inside of me somewhere, I just need to find it and coax it out of the corner that it has taken refuge in.
Stress during this festive season is inevitable as our responsibilities and tasks can be 10 fold on top of our normal to-do-list. On top of that we are trying to live up to the happy go lucky person we need to be as after all it is Christmas.
So how can we exude our Christmas Spirit whilst keeping all our tasks under control without feeling like our world is going to end?
Your Christmas Emotional Wellbeing Kit
- Manage your expectations
Our expectations can let us down, if we have a set idea of how things need to be and then for one reason or another they turn out differently this can be a sure way to send your stress levels through the roof. Having a more relaxed idea of what is going to happen and when and then having flexibility to move and change with the flow you will find your stress levels stay low.
2. Balance your needs with your resources
When our needs outweigh the resources available this is when we can start to feel overwhelmed, so it is important to ensure that you balance your needs with the resources available before saying ‘Yes’. Of course at this time of year we are trying to please as many people as possible, but what about yourself. Remembering that when you say ‘Yes’ to others you are saying ‘No’ to yourself.
3. Take some time out for yourself
You don’t need to be running yourself ragged during the festive season to make it a great time, its important for yourself and for your loved ones that you take some time out to rejuvenate. Here are some tips to rejuvenate:
a) 3 minutes deep breathing
b) Exercise (20 minute walk)
c) Meditation (as little as 5 mins will help)
d) Listening to music
4. Organisation
Organisation can really help to make the festive season a time of fun instead of stress, having a list of things that need to be done, followed by a list of things you would like to do, can really lower your stress levels as you will have a good idea of what you need to do.
5. It doesn’t have to be perfect
Some of the best experiences are those that aren’t perfect, when things go wrong and you can have laughs with your family about it over Christmas lunch/dinner. Release the feelings of perfection and go with the flow, that is where new opportunities and experiences are at their very best.
Allow your Christmas Spirit to find its way out by releasing your stress levels and bring a sense of fun back into the festive season.
Need someone to talk to? Nicole offers in-house counselling, in the comfort of your home. Providing you with a safe space to share your story and empowering you to learn new ways to deal with the stress and anxiety that the festive season can bring.
Book your session – www.calmyourmindwellness.com.au/workwithnicole
