Oh, Christmas!!! No, seriously – Christmas really is on its way and the list of parties to organise, meals to prepare, and presents to buy can feel like an impossible task. Even the expectation of Christmas – living up to last year’s success or eradicating the memory of a past disaster – can bring on stress and anxiety before we’ve even started.
So what can we do to keep calm?
It’s hard to avoid stress altogether, but we can all manage our stress levels better, even if at times it may not feel like it. Here are a few pointers:
ENCOURAGE GOOD MEMORIES
Actively remembering the good things we’ve done in the past helps to lift our mood; instead of worrying about the negative past, concentrate on past positives. Think back to only what makes you happy, and banish anything else from your mind. You may even like to write them down and keep them where you can see them regularly.
MANAGE EXPECTATIONS
Expectations can be a big problem – is the most perfect Christmas actually really possible? Maybe you’d like to decide to ignore the perfect scenarios seen on TV and on films. In the real world it is about working with a busy schedule and deciding what’s really possible and what is not.
BREATHE
An easy method of controlling our stress is breathing. We can make a decision to actively concentrate on slowing our breathing down, enabling us to react in a more appropriate way.
HAVE FUN
Fun is a great stress buster as it helps us change our outlook on the world. Try singing along to the radio or just sitting down quietly with your favourite drink and really appreciating its taste, smell and texture. You could even try disco dancing in your slippers when you’re in the kitchen. Anything that’s simple, quick and easy to do.
RELAX
Never mind how busy we are, we all need regular relaxation and time out if we’re going to manage our stress effectively. Small amounts of relaxation on a regular basis helps create a positive routine and prevents too much stress building up. Have a drink with a friend, play a game of tennis, walk the dog – anything that takes our mind and body away from the cause of stress. A short time out will pay dividends in the long run, giving us a renewed energy and enthusiasm for the task in hand.
Written by Louise Page
Vale Therapy
www.valetherapy.co.uk