surviving christmas!
Are you excited about Christmas or dreading it?
I’m sure we can all come up with hundreds of reasons to be excited but often it can be an overwhelming time perhaps due to expectations put on you, having to cook a huge roast dinner for 20 people when you can barely serve up beans on toast for one, missing loved ones who can’t be with you for different reasons, an invasion of the family some of whom may not be your favourites ..!
Whatever the reason this festive season may heighten your anxiety levels I hope some of the tips below will help.
Get outside for some fresh air. Not only will it clear your mind if you start to feel overwhelmed but it is also a good escape from any not-so-welcome guests who have come to visit!
Try a little Hygge - do like the Nordics and get snuggly. Make your environment soft and tactile (think fluffy blankets and squidgy cushions), create a warm inviting space with soft lighting and candles and utilise your sense of smell to drift into happy memories of the season with incense infused with cinnamon, cloves, oranges or ginger.
Eat hearty food with all the nutrients you need such as a warming soup or stew with a hunk of freshly baked bread. Start your day with a bowl of porridge loaded with a warm fruit compote. Ginger shots are also a great way to boost your immunity.
Schedule time in the week to take a long, hot relaxing bubble bath. Pull all the stops out with beautifully scented bath bombs, lots of bubbles both in the bath and out (pass me the Prosecco!). Lie back with some relaxing spa music and take time to start on that book you have been meaning to read.
With the nights drawing in earlier in the cold winter months this is the perfect excuse to have a Netflix binge or watch re-runs of your favourite Christmas movies (Elf!!!). Pop a face mask on and relax with your favourite cuppa or tipple!
Try a new winter sport to shake up your exercise fatigue. Have a go at skiing or snowboarding if you have access to an indoor ski centre or perhaps ice skating in one of the many pop-up rinks at this time of year.
One way to keep overwhelm and anxiety to a minimum is to keep up your routines. This includes a good morning routine with time for mindfulness and some movement such as yoga. Also, an evening routine to wind down from the day such as journaling anything on your mind, writing down things you are grateful for to gain a clearer perspective on life and writing your blueprint for the next day.
Plan ahead - additional events will come up in the festive season so plan those around things which are important to you such as a gym visit or catching up with a friend. Remember it’s ok to pass on invites - sometimes you may get JOMO (joy of missing out) rather than FOMO (fear of missing out) when you are bouncing out of bed in the morning ready for your day when others may be a little more jaded!
Start planning your Christmas shopping now to avoid last-minute panics. Write out all those you need to buy for including smaller gifts such as secret Santa or tips for people who have provided services over the year. Allocate a budget for the gifts AND STICK TO IT! Christmas is just one day and not worth getting into debt for a year. Consider hand make gifts such as a jar of home-baked cookies.
If you are cooking on Christmas day, again, plan for it. Write out the meal plan and a shopping list of ingredients required. Don’t be afraid to ask for contributions towards the meal, this doesn’t have to be asking for money but perhaps share the load of cooking with someone providing the starter and another the dessert - it can be a fun way for all to be involved.
Feeling low? Play your favourite Christmas song at full volume in the car as you are driving along and sing your heart out - move over Mariah Carey!
Try and have a clear-out of clutter as you do that big Christmas clean of the house. Get rid of anything that no longer serves you and make way for potential new goodies (depending on whether you have been naughty or nice!) and get ready to start the New Year afresh.
Spend time with people who make you feel good, say no to those who do not.
Loop in with people you know who may struggle this time of year, perhaps they have lost a loved one or are on their own. Even just a phone call can boost someone’s day.
There will be so many sweet treat temptations over the month so don’t deny yourself completely, if you are anything like me you will just binge a box of after eights after the 20th time of passing them up! A little of what you fancy is ok, just in moderation.
It is also ok to say no when people are trying to feed you! It can feel impolite to turn down someone’s goodwill and kindness so perhaps ask if you can take that 10th cookie they are trying to give you home as a treat for later.
Remember to take time out when you need it by listening to your body.
Hugs
xx