Reducing Stress at Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time but with so much pressure to have a ‘perfect family’ or a ‘perfect day’ it can be a stressful time for many people. This may be especially stressful this year with the current financial difficulties that lots of people are finding themselves in.


Here are some ideas on how to reduce your stress levels.

1. Manage expectations - The build up to Christmas is exciting, especially for young children. However, this is also a time when financial stress can build and if the items on Father Christmas’ list aren’t feasible, it’s important that the surprise isn’t saved until Christmas morning. Be open with your children about the cost of presents and give them an idea of what is affordable. Also manage your own expectations. If you make a list of three things that are really important for you to happen on Christmas day (make sure at least one doesn’t cost anything) eg. Nice food, family, games etc then make sure you include those in the day and let some of the other aspects slide.

2. Queue jump - Avoid the last minute chaos of the high street and shopping by thinking ahead. Make a list of the items you need to get and delegate if necessary! Make use of home delivery and internet shopping. Stock up on the basics and only shop in person for the important ‘extras’. Many special offers and sales are available online if you just shop around. You could also use price comparison websites to make sure you are getting a good deal. Some companies offer saving schemes where you are able to pay monthly for your Christmas presents. Everything doesn’t have to come out of one month’s budget.


3. Cutback commitments - If the thought of a drinks party with the neighbours or mince pie with old friends adds to the festive headache, politely decline. Be sensible about the amount of time you can commit to entertaining and being entertained! If the Christmas break provides a welcome opportunity to relax then take it. Be aware of these additional costs to your budget too as hidden extras can cause stress later on.

4. Share - If the Christmas build up leaves you feeling overwhelmed, share your concerns with someone close. Confiding in someone else will help you to rationalise your worries. Plan to also share the responsibility for the day itself, so that its success does not rest on your shoulders and in your mind. People will be happy to contribute. Maybe ask different members of the family to be responsible for a different course of the meal or for the drinks, or chocolates, or for the washing up, or organising games. Make sure that you allow time to just enjoy the day rather than just cramming all your time with activities and jobs.



5. Healthy mind - Exercise will help clear the mind and often, remove you from the immediate and often chaotic environment of home and its a free way to spend part of the day. Children often welcome the chance to run around and release all the pent up excitement too. If this isn’t possible on Christmas Day itself why not plan to do it Boxing Day afternoon? You can wear that new Christmas jumper or socks then too!

6. Keep perspective - Remember who and what is important at times of intense stress. The moment will pass and you’ll find comfort in letting it do so without the build up of emotion. Taking some deep breaths and imagining a calm place can help too. Saying something positive to yourself either silently or out loud may help too. If it is too much then offer to help with something in a different room or go get some air etc. removing yourself from the situation can help.


7. Relax - Don’t give yourself a hard time about making Christmas perfect. The responsibility doesn’t rest with one person and it’s worth always remembering that for most, it’s just one day of the year. Try some of the relaxation tips from the BBC on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/mental_health/coping_relaxation.shtml

Reducing Stress at Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time but with so much pressure to have a ‘perfect family’ or a ‘perfect day’ it can be a stressful time for many people. BA AM has a website with some really good tips on how to reduce your stress this Christmas. http://www.beatinganger.com/12-tips-for-a-stress-and-anger-free-christmas
Here are some ideas on how to reduce your stress levels.

Manage expectations - The build up to Christmas is exciting, especially for young children. However, this is also a time when financial stress can build and if the items on Father Christmas’ list aren’t feasible, it’s important that the surprise isn’t saved until Christmas morning. Be open with your children about the cost of presents and give them an idea of what is affordable. Also manage your own expectations. If you make a list of three things that are really important for you to happen on Christmas day eg. Nice food, family, games etc then make sure you include those in the day and let some of the other aspects slide.

Queue jump - Avoid the last minute chaos of the high street and shopping by thinking ahead. Make a list of the items you need to get and delegate if necessary! Make use of home delivery and internet shopping. Stock up on the basics and only shop in person for the important ‘extras’.

Cutback commitments - If the thought of a drinks party with the neighbours or mince pie with old friends adds to the festive headache, politely decline. Be sensible about the amount of time you can commit to entertaining and being entertained! If the Christmas break provides a welcome opportunity to relax then take it. Be aware of these additional costs to your budget too as hidden extras can cause stress later on.

Share - If the Christmas build up leaves you feeling overwhelmed, share your concerns with someone close. Confiding in someone else will help you to rationalise your worries. Plan to also share the responsibility for the day itself, so that its success does not rest on your shoulders and in your mind. People will be happy to contribute.

Healthy mind - Exercise will help clear the mind and often, remove you from the immediate and often chaotic environment of home. Children often welcome the chance to run around and release all the pent up excitement too.

Be better, not bitter - It’s inevitable at some point over Christmas – we’ll be stuck in a corner with or sat next to the person we spend the rest of the year trying to avoid. Resorting to rudeness will only add to the build up of stress and anger. Avoid lowering your tone to their level and instead, diffuse the situation with polite, respectable behaviour. Try to remember it is only for a short amount of time. If it is too much then offer to help with something in a different room or go get some air etc. removing yourself from the situation can help.

Keep perspective - Remember who and what is important at times of intense stress. The moment will pass and you’ll find comfort in letting it do so without the build up of emotion. Taking some deep breaths and imagining a calm place can help too. Saying something positive to yourself either silently or out loud may help too.

Avoid excess - Alcohol is responsible for many an argument as drinking lowers your defences and can change your mood. It can be more difficult to keep a perspective while under its influence. Consuming too much food, particularly of the rich and sugary nature can also lead to mood swings and dips in general wellbeing. Watching what the children eat is also important, eating a whole selection box isn’t going to lead to a quiet and well behaved afternoon!!

Think ahead - What normally sets you off at Christmas? Are there recurring conversations or arguments that you could avoid or change in the way you handle them. Identifying the sources of our anger and what triggers it is key to responding to a situation. Can you change the situation to something that would be easier to handle? Small changes may make a big difference to your stress levels.


Find some calm - If you find yourself getting angry, remove yourself from the situation. Walk away and find a quiet place if you can – this will give you important time to calm your mood and think about the bigger picture. If you need an excuse, tell others you are getting some fresh air or going for a walk as you’ve eaten too much.

Learn to listen - Listening is a skill, but one that is easy to master and useful for avoiding arguments. Listen carefully to the other person is saying and show you understand their point of view – even if you don’t agree with it. Choose your words carefully to avoid the build up of emotion e.g. avoid “you always…” and instead use “you sometimes…”. Speak at a normal volume, don’t shout; don’t argue, instead discuss.

Relax - Don’t give yourself a hard time about making Christmas perfect. The responsibility doesn’t rest with one person and it’s worth always remembering that for most, it’s just one day of the year. Try some of the relaxation tips from the BBC on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/mental_health/coping_relaxation.shtml


We hope that these hints and tips help you to have a happy and stress free Christmas!

Balance

I am sat writing this post as I wait by my phone for a couple of phone calls- well you have to be productive- this post came out of the blue and I think is more of a response to the fact that I am ill.

I find that I use the word ‘balance’ as a kind of mantra in life. For me ‘balance’ is what I’m aiming for, whether its balance in work and home life or in time in the office and time spent out of it. I see ‘balance’ as being somehow the perfect medium. Now Balance has a lot of meaning or uses (thank you Wiki) but to me balance is all about not falling down, about a bit of everything and keeping in control. One of my favourite definitions of balance is

‘A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.’

I love the idea of being neutral. I think that the link to emotional stability is vital for me (I tend to work on the edge of stress a lot better, but I know that it’s not healthy.) just because I like to think I’m balanced does not mean that I am J we all have to aim for something. I am just very aware that I’m a work-a-holic I love getting involved with things and making things happen, and that can often be detrimental to many aspects of life, health being a vital one. Balance however is not an excuse for me to be lazy or not work, but it’s a reminder of a bigger picture. For many, business and work can get all consuming and I often need a reminder that the world and life itself is a lot bigger than that. For me my mantra is about reminding myself that to be my best and achieve what I want to achieve, I cannot focus solely on one aspect of life and forget the others. So that’s my current saying :)

Also things that have happened in the world of Ruth-
-crashed my car, thankfully no one was hurt, but I currently have a courtesy car while they fix mine
-I have been accepted as one of the 50 UK Female Enterprise Ambassadors
-The first StairSteadys have landed in Ireland- so exciting and I will hopefully put up some pictures when I get them
- I am currently living in an exam obsessed household and my brother does his GCSEs and my sister her A levels. I am so glad I don’t have to do them again.
- We installed a demo unit in Wiltshire, which meant I was lucky enough to spend a few days down there last week, great view, great food and great business.
- I officially have the most horrific coldy flu thing. Having so much vitamin c and Echinacea, I just hate being ill. (not enough balance)

So all in all an eventful week.

Does anyone else have a mantra?