Christmas is considered to be the ‘most wonderful time of the year’. But for many, Christmas stress can be overwhelming. As you try to wrap work up for the holidays, you might also have a lot to sort out at home. It can be easy to become overwhelmed with your ever-expanding to do lists!
You might find that you get so stressed during the festive period that you completely burn out. So, you are unable to enjoy the time off that you do have! It’s not all doom and gloom though, read on to discover our top 5 tips to cope with Christmas stress…
1. Be strict with your expectations in the build-up to Christmas
We all have our own standards and expectations. But when it comes to something like Christmas, we’re often our own worst enemies. We all want to do our best at work and by our friends and family. But being a superhero is not worth exhausting yourself over.
Set a limit for your expectations. In the run up to Christmas, have a look at your schedule and what is actually achievable during that time frame. Start saying no to things you won’t be able to achieve, and try to be realistic about your plans. Try to forget about perfect, and instead focus on creating enjoyment for both yourself and others.
2. Make lists
When we’ve got a lot going on in our heads it can be incredibly overwhelming. It’s also tricky to get organised when we have so much to do and we’re trying to sort everything out in our minds. Get everything out of your head and plan as much as possible by making lists. Not only will this help you see clearer and feel less overwhelmed, it will also help you to manage what’s achievable and what you might need to forget about.
3. Ask for help
Whether in the workplace or at home, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. It’s all too easy to take everything on yourself and just try to cope. But the truth is, there can be a lot of positives to come out of holding up your hand and making it known that you could do with some help.
In work this could result in acknowledging that you’re snowed under. Ask your manager about the possibility of reducing your workload. At home, an extra pair of hands might mean something you didn’t think would be possible actually gets done with ease.
4. Take some ‘me time’ before Christmas
Taking some time to yourself can seem counterproductive when you already hardly have any time to spare. Taking time out to get some rest when you can will help to clear your mind, making you better able to keep on top of everything. Try finding just 30 minutes a day for yourself – book in for a massage, have a bath, practice yoga or just sit quietly and read. This will make the world of difference.
5. Save time where possible
Strategic isn’t a word often used when it comes to how to approach Christmas, but being strategic about your plans will save you time. When you’re planning everything that you need to get done, think of ways to make the jobs easier. Could you order presents online instead of going shopping? Could you get your turkey delivered instead of picking it up? When you’ve got to go somewhere, is there something else nearby that you could pick up or sort out to save extra trips? Being strategic could save you precious minutes you didn’t know you had.
Just a few simple steps could make all the difference to your Christmas stress levels. Most importantly, don’t forget to ask for help when you need it, and take time out whenever you can.
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