Channelling the twelve days of Christmas. Here are my twelve ideas that may be helpful to help reduce Xmas stress levels. I’ve suggested these as they are cheap and take little time to implement:
1 Mood lifters – Try have a few of these on the ready for when you feel like you are about to have a ‘downer’. Watching a comedy shows, movie, book or an uplifting Xmas music playlist that you can turn to if you need a mood lift.
2 Breath work – breathing techniques can help to calm the nervous system. A simple and effective way to achieve this is to inhale and exhale fully and slowly from focusing on your belly, ensureing yo do force the breathing, rather allow it to expand gently and slowly with each breath cycle. Do this for about 5 – 10 times, then relax.
3 Minute mindfulness – a one-minute meditation can be an effective way of interrupting your business, calming and clearing your mind. If you are new to mindfulness, or would like to have a guided meditation.
4 Quality sleep – if you are sleep deprived your body and mind will not have had the correct environment to restore and recharge overnight. You will be less likely to be able to manage the demands of the following day and maintain a positive mindset. Strive to get at least 6-8 hours of quality deep sleep most day.
5 Soothing bath – containing a handful of Epsom salts, a few drops of Lavender essential oil and about 100g of baking soda. This combo may help draw out toxins, lower stress related hormones, balance your PH and improve circulation, but no phones allowed!
6 Essential oils – they can help restore balance and reduce stress levels. Burning or vaporising essential oils can be a great way to make use of them. You can try Rose, Lavender, Bergamot or Chamomile or other oils which which may help reduce stress and anxiety.
7 Gratefulness – under pressure we often place more significance to what’s not working causing us to influence our mindset. When you shift your focus to what is working and things you are grateful for, it helps to bring about perspective. If you focus on what you are grateful for before you go to bed then that is what you will ‘marinate’ and ‘cultivate’ overnight.
8 Yell and scream– If you feel your stress levels peaking, without an outlet, try letting it out in a sensible and controlled manner by yelling or screaming into your pillow, one to do at home. But remember to close your windows to avoid your neighbours thinking you’re a total Xmas cracker!
9 Cook smart –get ahead of the festive rush by cooking a few dishes in advance, your body and mind will thank you. Get your kids involved too. Batch-prep what you can before the party, freeze it, and enjoy a calmer Christmas with fewer last-minute plans. A little early prep means more time to relax, laugh, and soak up the festive fun on the big day.
10 Browse some photos – take a mindful break and enjoy the warmth of happy memories with friends, family, or favourite holidays. If that means a loved one who’s no longer here, gently shift your focus to a moment that made you smile, a conversation, a shared laugh, or something uniquely “them” that still brings light to your day. Let that memory feel like a quiet gift, not a source of pain.
11 Setting up the day – Try getting up 10 minutes earlier (doesn’t need to be every day!) to avoid the need to rush. Have a floor stretch on a ground mat, visualise and plan your day, or simply sit and enjoy a cuppa to reduce stress. The rest of the world can wait!
12 Pay it forwards – It’s easy amongst all the business and the hype to forget what Christmas is all about. Giving back (time or money) can be a wonderful way of cultivating the true spirit of Christmas and maintaining perspective.
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