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Marian Rainbird, a senior
counselling practitioner from Mind, Body and Soul in Norwich, admits
Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year.
If you're not stressing about how you'll manage
to buy everyone a present with a limited budget, you'll be worrying
about how to keep the family happy and prevent them from arguing!
Marian shares her top tips on how to de-stress
your Christmas:
1) Get organised and plan
your days. This is easier said than done, but making a list of jobs
that need to be done can help you take one thing at a time.
Make sure you get other members of your family
to help with the cooking |
For Christmas day decide what time you are going
to eat and work backwards from that. Most cookery books will give
you an idea of how much time you'll need to cook the Christmas feast.
2) Recognise when something is done or finished
and feel good about it.
3) Let other members of the family know how stressed
you are feeling. Delegate some of the tasks. Christmas is not just
down to one person - everyone shares in Christmas.
4) Try not to keep saying 'yes' to everything
that's asked of you. This only builds up stress levels. It's ok
to say no sometimes. If you always say yes, what is it really worth
when we do actually want to say it?
Have fun with the Christmas decorations |
5) Take a break - even if it's only for 10 minutes.
Browse through a magazine or just close your eyes and listen to
some relaxing music. It is important to take time to re-charge your
energy levels.
6) Try some breathing exercises. These can be
done at any time and are helpful if you are feeling panicky.
7) Don't set yourself unrealistic targets and deadlines.
This will only make you feel irritable and adds to the pressure
tenfold.
Pace yourself throughout Christmas and by the time
Christmas eve comes along give yourself permission to say 'what
isn't done now, won't get done'. Believe these words and relax!
8) If you have small children who need occupying
while you are busy, why not try giving them an early Christmas present
or video that they want to see. This will occupy them for a good
hour and a half!
Children can demand a lot of attention at Xmas! |
9) If Christmas is an emotional time for you,
if you've lost relatives or friends, or have family aborad, try
to think about the happy times together.
They make not be with you physically, but the memories
are always there, so use them well. After all they wouldn't want
you to be unhappy.
10) Last but not least, don't drink too much!
It will spoil Christmas for you and eveyone else!
Marian Rainbird is a senior counselling practitioner
from Mind, Body and Soul in Norwich, part of the mental health care
charity MIND. You can contact them on 01603 629432.
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