Handling Christmas

It is not only the season to be jolly - it's also the season that can cause an awful lot of stress /distress. Family, absent friends, too much food, too many tasks and far-too-much-fun can all add up to feeling a little worse for wear. Here are 10 helpful hints to help you get through:

1. Breathe: This is a good time to adopt the concept of belly breathing... deep long slow breaths that originate in your belly, in and out through your nose. This will slow your heart rate, invoke your parasympathetic nervous system (resting state) and reduce your anxiety and stress levels.

2. Slump: While keeping your spine straight (but not stiff) allow your shoulders to roll up to your ears, then towards your back and allow a little 'slump' - so they relax. Do this as many times as you need to help keep yourself calm and reduce tension.

3. Choose your Battles: Traffic, family, pushy shoppers... give them and yourself a little slack, let the person go in front of you, let the comment from your sister slide - you're bigger than all that. It will help you (and possibly them) stay calm.

4. Kindness: As I've mentioned before, Giving is as beneficial for the giver as the receiver. You can choose a charity, a person or any other organisation or alternatively, being kind may simply be smiling, showing patience or lending a helping hand.

5. Gratitude: I know we have heard this before - but take a moment to list three things you are thankful for at this moment. Doing this regularly helps to remind yourself of all the things to be thankful for - despite all the things that might 'not be going your way'. It can also remind you of how so many people really do have so much less than you have.

6. Eat Well:  I know, it's Christmas, but in amongst all the pav, ham, chocolate eclairs and Christmas cake - eat a few green veggies, drink a few glasses of water, eat some delicious summer fruit. Your body, brain and mind will love you for it.

7. Exercise: Even a 10-minute walk after meals is shown to decrease your blood sugar levels. It'll make you feel better, help get rid of any tension you might be holding on to, increase your oxygen levels and help to get you some vitamin D - which is necessary for healthy cell production (think anti-cancer!)

8. Reduce alcohol:  You probably don't need that third or fourth glass of champagne... you are likely to stay more in control and feel better about yourself in the morning if you stop after one or two glasses. Drink water or bring a non-alcoholic drink.

9. You might need to say no: Whether it's that extra invitation to another Christmas lunch, or the drive to the other side of the city to buy more presents - if you are feeling overwhelmed - you have permission to say 'no', stay home, have a nap, enjoy the sunshine, do something for yourself instead. Getting to Christmas day rested and not stressed will benefit everyone (including yourself).

10. Practice a pause:  There are many opportunities to take a brief few seconds during Christmas day to just be in the moment - even among all the chaos. You can take a mindful breath, check in on yourself and take a pause before you act or react. You can then make decisions accordingly.

11. (A bonus) Self-compassion: If you are feeling overwhelmed, strung out, stressed, grieving, exhausted or any other condition which is not how you want to be feeling - be kind to yourself. Please don’t force yourself to push through, harden up, or carry on regardless. Take some time to connect with yourself, as you would a dear friend and do what needs to be done to support yourself during this time. The benefits of self-compassion are numerous - and will nurture you in the short and long term.

And what better way to prepare for a new year?

Stay grounded and cool.

Merry Christmas to you all. x