Top Tips To Manage Festive Stress

Hey everyone!

To follow on from our last blog post (available here), about dealing with festive stress, we’re back with a few bits of advice to give you even more options in the next few days.

So, without further ado.

Instead of:

Overdoing it.

Make a list of priorities. For example -

A present for Auntie Jane.

Some more mince pies for Boxing Day.

A DVD to keep the youngsters amused while you all doze off on the sofa after dinner.

Clean the spare room.

Consider which tasks are important. Can something wait until tomorrow, or the next day? If not, complete it today.

Overindulgence:

Focus on your budget. Nobody wants to go into the new year living from their overdraft.

Whilst it can be useful to have more food than you need, consider what you’re likely to consume and what you aren’t.

You don’t have to drink.

You don’t have to consume loads of sweets and/or chocolate.

You don’t have to be seen to be having the best Christmas ever in front of your social media followers.

Cramming in too many activities:

You don’t have to go to that party if you’ve got too many presents to buy/wrap.

Take half an hour to yourself, even if its just to have a bubble bath.

Read a book and/or meditate at bedtime.

Go to bed early.

Look up breathing exercises on YouTube, a search engine or ask around about Zoom classes.

For some, it’s a lonely time of year:

Reach out to people. You’ll be surprised how many are feeling the same, and how many will feel better as a result of knowing they’re not alone.

Organise a family meal. Sit around the kitchen/dining room table. Switch phones and other electronic devices off – distractions often prove to be a barrier to the benefits of human interaction.

Go for a stroll, have a look at the Christmas lights in your area. Say hello and/or smile at strangers.

Video Call friends and family.

Remember to take time for yourself, even if it's only a few minutes. It's a stressful and, often, an overwhelming time of year.

Have a great week, and we'll be back soon.

Matt and Josh x

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