Avoiding Festive Frazzle

Christmas is considered a particularly stressful time of year for many of us. Schedule overload, family tension, emotional strain and financial pressures. With four weeks to go until the 'big' day, some of us are fully embracing the festive craziness whilst many are completely overwhelmed, overstretched, emotionally drained and generally frazzled.

Here are some techniques that can help to calm the mind, bring about some balance and allow us time to step off of the metaphorical treadmill. These tips can also work well if Christmas is a difficult time of year anyway or this one in particular is a real challenge.

Here are my tips for reducing Christmas stress: and bringing more balance to your life::

Prioritise good quality sleep

We regenerate and renew whilst we sleep. It's fundamental to our wellness. Look at your bedtime routine. Do you stop using technology a couple of hours before bed to clear and calm your mind? Do you go to bed at a reasonable time to allow yourself 7-8 hours sleep? Is your bedroom a calm uncluttered environment? Do you limit caffeine and alcohol consumption so as not to disrupt your sleep quality? Try making evening routines a ritual rather than a chore, for example a bath, skincare etc.

Write everything down and don't over do it

Make a note of everything you need to do. Prioritise that list but don't set yourself unrealistic goals like completing everything in one day. You'll end up losing focus and completing very little. Really think about whether something actually needs to be done. Drop traditions that don't feel good any more. Will anyone notice or suffer if it doesn't get completed? Concentrate on one thing at a time and add a big tick to the list when you complete a task. It's so satisfying to see the ticks multiply. As someone who has a tendency to over do Christmas I am trying to simplify and shorten my lists for gifts and entertaining. I'm trying to choose 'good enough' rather than 'perfect'. What helps me justify this is asking myself 'what would happen if I don't do x, y or z?'. You'll be able to knock a few things off of your list by doing this.

Concentrate on your breathing

Any time you feel your heart rate rise, try this. Slowly breathe in through your nose, holding for a couple of seconds and then breathe out through your mouth. Try to make the out breath longer than the in breath. There are lots of breathing techniques but this is a good start. It can help to reducing stress levels and anxiety. Any time you feel yourself getting overwhelmed stop what you are doing and concentrate on your breathing for at least a minute. Not only will you feel calmer but you'll feel more energised and focused.

Give yourself regular small doses of self care

Just a few minutes here and there can have a huge positive impact on your mental and physical health. Think about what makes you happy? i.e. Listening to a podcast or some of your favourite music? Having a bubble bath? Going for a quick walk? Doing a few yoga/pilates poses? Reading a couple of pages of a book? Applying a face mask or facial oil? Just sitting and doing 'nothing'. As the saying goes "You can't pour from an empty cup" meaning that if you aren't looking after yourself, you're no use to anyone else. Don't forget to drink plenty of water and eat well.

Learn to say No

Take back the power. Set healthy boundaries. Say no to things you don't need or want to do. Pull away from people that drain you. This will allow you more time and space to do the things you really want to do with the people you want to be with. There are ways of saying 'No' without actually saying 'No' - "That sounds fab, next time I'd love to join you" or "If only I could split myself in half" or "Thanks for asking me but I've got so much on at the moment". Saying 'No' is not a negative thing if it positively serves you.

Routine, routine, routine

Try to retain some structure in your normal daily and weekly routine as this will help generate feelings of order - waking up at the same time (don't lay in for hours on your days off as this will ultimately disrupt your sleep), trying to go to bed at the same time (or not too much later at the weekend or when you don't have work the next day), planning to do certain chores on certain days so things don't build up. Perhaps tidy one small area at home each week. A quick five minute tidy can make home feel calmer without much effort. A tidy home equals a tidy mind for many of us. But set a timer so that you don't get carried away and create more mess that you don't have time to sort out. Sustaining a routine can be more challenging as our diaries get busier but if the foundations are in place, everything else is easier.

Be thankful

Being grateful focuses the mind and can contribute to contentedness. Before going to sleep (whilst laying in bed) think about your day and identify two or three things you were grateful for. You don't need to write them down in a fancy journal. It really is the small things that matter. For example, enjoying a quiet cup of tea in the corner of a coffee shop, meeting a friend for a walk.

Seek out laughter

This emotion can lift our spirits and break an emotional pattern, by switching our mind to a more positive channel. Think about funny things that have happened, watch a funny film, your favourite comedian, an amusing podcast. Try to look for the positive in different situations. Avoid draining people, look for those that radiate warmth and light. Focus on connection, not performance and ask yourself 'What do I want Christmas to feel like?'.

Unplug to recharge

Grab a cup of your favourite drink and take a seat somewhere comfortable. Try this little exercise. Allow yourself ten minutes to give your mind a break. Think about the present moment. Focus on what you can see first - the colour of your drink, the mug, any movement or patterns in the liquid. Then focus on what you can feel - is it the warmth, the texture of the cup, your body sitting in the chair. Focus on the taste - how does the drink taste, really think about this and enjoy it slowly. This is a really effective mindfulness technique which will give you a little space by pressing pause for just a few minutes.

Keep active

Getting outside is a really quick way to improve your mood and alleviate or lessen feelings of stress. Aim to get outside every day no matter what the weather. Ten to twenty minutes is all that is needed to provide that hit of positivity and calm.

These are all ways to give yourself a regular doses of Christmas calm during these next four weeks. Finding small positive ways to manage Christmas stress is key to avoiding that festive frazzle feeling.

Merry Christmas x