Our Top Tips On How To Ease Stress During The Festive Period

The festive period can be an extremely stressful time, demands from all areas of life can rapidly increase.

Here’s some of our top tips on how to reduce stress so you can enjoy a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

1. Limit Spending

It is so easy to overspend for the festive season. Setting yourself a budget is the best place to start. Try and include everything so you are not caught out with forgotten items. Remember to keep in mind what is important, if buying everyone an extravagent gift is going to cause money problems in the New Year then it really isn’t worth it. Open up communication with family and friends, they may be feeling the same way!

2. Manage Expectations

Try and remember to be realistic, with more plans than usual there is more chance for last minute changes. Instead of letting this add to your stress load, embrace the extra opportunities to make memories. If you have children then it is a good idea to try and help them manage their expectations as well, helping them realise that their Christmas lists are ideas and that they are not definitely going to receive everything they ask for.

3. Avoid Overindulging

While the festive time is most certainly a time for enjoying yourself, try and make sensible choices for your health. Excess stress can lead to over indulging with food and drink and won’t have a positive impact in the long run.

4. Take Time Out

Whether that is running yourself a bath, having some screen free family time or getting out in the fresh air for a walk, it is so important to take time out and relax. Find what works best for you and even when your schedule is hectic try and make sure you take that much needed time.

5. Don’t Be Afraid To Say No

Home and work stresses can increase with everyone battling to get things ticked off their ever growing lists. Try and remain realistic that not everything can be done and it is OK to put yourself first. If a family situation is going to affect your mental health don’t be worried about saying no.

6. Have Fun!

We can get so bogged down with the details of making everything perfect for everyone else the true spirit of Christmas can be lost. Enjoy the down time and remember to have fun!