For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. Plan your holiday activities around your normal schedule as much as possible. Being selective about what you consume and watching the amount can help prevent the unnecessary stress that comes from undisciplined eating. To help you along your journey, I want to share 13 ways you can reduce the holiday stress (before it comes) so you can spend your time on what really matters to you. You guys are great!!" Exercise won't make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you're feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you deal with your problems more calmly. For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. Limit alcohol and make sure to hydrate. Here we go. Consider doing your food shopping online. So making sure our stress levels are kept in check is so important, particularly around this hectic and pressured festive period. For great savings, buy Christmas necessities (such as cards, wrapping paper, ribbons and decorations) at post-Christmas sales. Safe driving is up to every individual on the road. Here are some tips and strategies to help you reduce your Christmas stress. - J.G. If you are travelling or passing through areas infected with yellow fever, some countries require you to be vaccinated... You can reduce the risk of mosquito bites if you get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites around your home... Use this simple checklist and take action to prevent mosquitoes from spoiling your holiday. Have a plan. Check to avoid disappointment. Everyone needs “alone” time. Write a Christmas Day timetable. How to Reduce Christmas Stress #live #love #christmas #christmasstress @MotivationWar For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. Then, take your time over the next four months bringing it all together. For example, you can start your Christmas season preparations during the summer months by planning and arranging for family festivities, deciding what budget to spend and the gifts to spend it on, the meals you want to make, the activities you want to plan or attend, etc. Feeling like you have too much to do and not enough time to do it can be stressful. â 5000+ pages of self-help information. Set boundaries for your schedule and spending. There will be disappointments, things that don’t turn out “just right,” and problems that crop up. Unfortunately, the high expectations that come along with the holidays can lead to stress, depression, and disappointment. Measure each day and be sure to allocate sufficient time for both the work of the Christmas season and the joy of it. What creates contentment and peace is loving and appreciating what we have rather than desiring or envying what we don’t have. Use November ; Minimize the number of gifts Buy a few extras, such as chocolates, just in case you forget somebody or you have unexpected guests arrive bearing gifts. To reduce the stress of the Christmas postage experience: Write up a Christmas card list and keep it in a safe place so that you can refer to it (and add or delete names) year after year. But it does not have to be like that! Remember, presents don’t have to cost money – you can also give of your time or experience. Here are 10 Intentional Ideas to Reduce Holiday Stress: 1. Here are 10 ways to a happier and less stressed Christmas season: Itâs better to manage your stress moment by moment rather than trying to get caught up on stress reduction after the fact. Thursday, 20 December 2012 Fran. Provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse. “If you’re feeling the pressure of surmounting tasks, be sure to delegate them to others. 3. Furthermore, many of the “you” activities are effective stress reduction strategies. How To Reduce Stress Naturally Master Your Mind and Be Free . Taking frequent rest breaks can be an important self-care practice. âAll of us at anxietycentre.com have experienced debilitating anxiety. Christmas can be a stressful time. It just means that that person has exercised his or her right to live authentically in that particular situation. Meditate or practice yoga Dedicating just 10 or 20 minutes a day to practicing meditation or yoga can help to reduce anxiety. Make a list of food and ingredients needed. The Fall season is a great time to organize and get your holiday pictures taken. To protect against holiday burnout, be sure to spread your energy out over the entire Christmas season. 7. Because it takes approximately twenty minutes for the stomach to let the brain know it’s had enough, consuming slower can help you consume less and still feel satisfied. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Learn how to make conversation with strangers. Try to be moderate – it may be the season to be jolly, but too much food and alcohol is harmful. 1. Keep moving – keeping up your regular exercise routine can give you the fitness and stamina to make it through the demands of the festive season. The more you manage your stress now, the less of an issue it will be after the Christmas season is over. The combination of good self-help information and working with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist is the most effective way to address anxiety disorder and its many symptoms. And no one (and I mean no one) will die if you say no. But, the high expectations that come along with the holidays can lead to stress, depression or disappointment. Get started with exercise Call 1300 60 60 24, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au:443/health/healthyliving/christmas-tips-to-reduce-the-stress, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au:443/about/privacy, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au:443/about/terms-of-use, This web site is managed and authorised by the Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia. Christmas comes with high expectations of perfect, happy families enjoying luxurious celebrations and gifts, but not all of us are able to live up to these ideals. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. It’s never going to be. Some companies will also gift-wrap and post your presents for a small additional fee. How to Reduce Christmas Stress. Diets and gym memberships are particularly popular in January! People under stress tend to 'self-medicate' with alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. 8 Ways to Reduce Stress and Strife at Christmas 1. Buy as many non-perishable food items as you can in advance – supermarkets are generally extremely busy on Christmas Eve. For example, if politics is a touchy subject in your family, don't talk about it. Adopting and respecting healthy boundaries is an example of healthy behavior. The expense of buying gifts, the pressure of last minute shopping, and the heightened expectations of family togetherness can all combine to undermine our best intentions. Or your bank balance. It gives them a sense of security and balance. Uniqueness fills our world with the full spectrum of color. To reduce this stress, before making any dish make sure that everyone is attending and bringing a covered dish and some other items so that there will be enough food for everyone. There is always something that could be better. Reduce expectations. For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. Whatever way you celebrate, there are ways to eat healthily... Birthday parties can be healthy as well as fun. Also, consume slower. Taking regular rest breaks is a great way to minimize the build-up of stress. Despite your attempts to prepare, organize, improve the whole process.. Come on, every year we fall into the same patterns. Order Christmas Cards Early. Book a date in your diary so you don't forget. But, the high expectations that come along with the holidays can lead to stress, depression or disappointment. God came to be with us to demonstrate His reality to the world and to make a way for us to come back into relationship with Him. 07707846223 stresscoachtraining@gmail.com Being more realistic about life can also enhance the quality of your life experience. Taking regular rest … Christmas and Stress. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress as it burns off hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline and helps produce mood-enhancing endorphins. Stretching out your holiday activities over a longer period of time can really help reduce Christmas stress. For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is typically one of the most stressful events of the year. You may need to order particular food items (such as turkeys) from your supermarket by a certain date. Plan to write your Christmas cards in early December. Avoid known triggers. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and spend your energy in one or two nights of fun and socializing. 2. For example: when to put the turkey in the oven, when to put the pudding on to boil, or whatever suits your catering agenda. Moreover, frequent rest breaks can also help make up for lost sleep. How to Reduce Christmas Stress. How To Reduce Christmas Stress. Having this consistent stability may be able to help you to destress during the holidays and reduce Christmas overwhelm! With so many things that we need to get done in order to spread holiday cheer, it can be pretty easy to get overwhelmed. I’m not singing a Christmas song. Stay healthy to avoid Christmas anxiety Recognising and changing behaviours that contribute to your stress will help you get through the Christmas period. Perfection is impossible to strive for. While loosening up a little to feast is healthy, throwing caution to the wind and then paying for it with months of recovery may not be the best choice. Some practical suggestions can help you reduce your 'Christmas stress'. With so many things that we need to get done in order to spread holiday cheer, it … Make someone else responsible and accountable for some of the tasks, just to ease some of the pressure. Many people give themselves permission to forget about their diets and celebrate the holidays with indulging in anything and any time they want. The expense of buying gifts, the pressure of last minute shopping and the heightened expectations of family togetherness can all combine to undermine our best intentions. Thatâs because once the body becomes chronically stressed (hyperstimulated), it can take a long time to recover, and often much longer than most people realize.