Yes, it is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ but Christmas can also add stress – catering for large numbers of people, choosing the perfect presents for everyone and organising travel.
However, it doesn’t have to get the best of you. Here are eight ways to ensure you stay as chilled as possible this Christmas. We’ll be printing it out and sticking it to our partner’s forehead this year.
1. Find a new perspective
We all have tasks that we dread every year. They become a mental block. So changing the way we approach a task can revolutionise the way we think of it. Enlist the help of other family members or break down a job into different parts and just tackle one part a day. A change is as good as a holiday they say – but we say: a change during the holidays is even better.
2. Remember what’s important
We always want to get everything done but somethings aren’t imperative. Don’t see everything on your to-do list as equally important because it isn’t true. Take a few minutes to number everything in priority order – or highlight things in different colours based on their importance.
You can also do this with individual tasks. If baking four desserts gives you sleepless nights then decide which two will be most popular.
3. Sniff a lemon
Bear with us on this one because research from Ohio State University shows that the smell of lemons, or anything lemon scented, helps to boost our mood.
4. Retain daily rituals
If reading before bed keeps you sane then keep doing it! Don’t swap the things that keep you feeling grounded in favour of adding an extra flourish to the Christmas table name cards. A structure helps keep us calm and me-time is especially important on the run up to the big day.
5. Always accept free gift wrapping
It’s nice to hand wrap presents for people and there are always so many exciting paper choices in the run up to Christmas. However, it takes time and often we are sat up until the early hours of the morning in the run up to Christmas, sticking tiny pieces of sellotape to the table and scouring ribbon until our thumbs hurt. So do yourself a favour, say ‘yes’ if there’s a gift wrap option. It’s what’s on the inside that counts anyway. Plus, if you find you have time in the end, you can always just re-wrap.
6. Stick with what you know
Trying new things is always fun but inevitably, things can go wrong. It’s fine to serve your husband burnt parsnip and carrot mash on a week night but if you start trying out new recipes for Christmas lunch you’ll end up feeling even more stressed if something goes wrong. Just go into auto-pilot and do what you know and if you don’t know then ask someone else to do it.
7. Know that taking advantage of time-savers is not cheating
Nowadays you can find a shortcut for most things whether that be ready made canapés or ready prepared Christmas decoration sets. If it saves you time, then do it – your family will be more appreciative of a calm day with you then whether you made the puff pastry from scratch…
8. Find a private spot and scream for five seconds (seriously)
It doesn’t have to be screaming, it could be putting on loud music and shaking your limbs around like you’re a dog trying to get rid of excess water after a dip in the pond. Either way, bottling up our stress leads to muscle tension, a weakened immune system and ironically, even more stress. So let it out, it will feel good.
