The festive period is great fun, but can also be a lot to handle. December is filled with manic social diaries, work events, present shopping and a whole lot of eating and drinking. Sometimes it can get a bit much. Not to mention the uncomfortable situations you can find yourself in at Christmas time (shout out to Meghan Markle joining the entire Royal family at Sandringham this year 🤯).

So we’ve put together some tips on how to stay calm at Christmas amongst all the madness, making the most of the holiday period.

Grin and bear it

We’re all familiar with that feeling of rage when a relative makes an irritating comment round the dinner table, or asks the dreaded question… ‘So what are you up to at the moment?’. Easy to answer if you’re happy in a job, but if not, it can be a stressful question to keep answering over and over.

Kill with kindness and drive the conversation away from difficult topics. Tell them about your most recent holiday, or that you’ve decided to learn Mandarin whilst you’re job hunting. A big smile and a deep breath work wonders.

Take time to yourself

The holiday period is about spending time with loved ones, but don’t forget to take some time to yourself and really enjoy your time off. Read a book, or get into a TV series (Season 2 of The Crown 👌). If you like to cook, make some treats for your family and friends – try our festive Florentines recipe. Take a step back and do whatever it is that helps you to relax.

Rejuvenate

Look after your body. There is nothing worse than starting the new year feeling like you need another holiday. So, party till the early hours, stuff your face with mince pies, but don’t forget to give your body a much-needed break.
 

Sleep

Catch up on all those missed hours of sleep in your usual busy schedule and have a lie in! Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. For tips on how to sleep easy, click here.

Eat well & exercise

Overindulging is all part of Christmas, but try to have a bit of balance. If you’re feeling a little stressed, take comfort in healthy snacks like nuts and dried fruit – less of a sugar crash than chocolate.

Get out in the fresh air for a bit of exercise. A brisk country walk can clear the mind and get those endorphins going.

Socialise

A bit of time off gives you the opportunity to make plans you don’t always have time for. Christmas is the perfect time to have fun with your friends and catch up with people you haven’t seen in a while. Equally, don’t feel you have to commit to everything – particularly that invite you said yes to through gritted teeth.

Chatting to friends about day-to-day struggles is also a really great stress reliever. It helps to realise that we are not alone and that everyone else has their own sh*t to deal with too!

Relax, stay positive and have fun.

Happy Christmas! 🎅🎄🎁 

For more on dealing with stress:

 
Stress Survival Guide:

Part I – Good Stress, Bad Stress

Part II – Get the Best out of Stress

Part III – Stress Busters

Grad Bites: Dealing with Stress – Mindfulness

Claire Derry talks about mindfulness and meditation, and how they can help reduce stress.