Manage your Wellbeing this Festive Season

As the festive season season approaches with its bright lights and festive music, the pressure to create a perfect holiday can make this time of year a stressful time for many of us! There are many reasons why people find the Christmas period to be so stressful – including pressure to create the perfect family gathering, comparing our lives to the unrealistic perfect versions we think we ‘should’ be living and of course the financial pressure associated with this time of the year. However, there are ways to manage this stress and enjoy the holiday season.

Create Realistic Expectations: One significant source of Christmas stress is the pursuit of perfection. Remember, perfection is an illusion. It's essential to set realistic expectations and accept that things might not always go as planned. This Christmas, set realistic expectations for yourself and others. This means accepting that things may not always go as planned and being okay with that. Do you and what is right for you and yours. Embrace imperfection and the uniqueness of your celebrations. 

Practice Self-Compassion and Gratitude: Christmas can be particularly challenging for various reasons. Practicing self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a close friend in distress. What would you say to them and what would you do to help when life is difficult?  Practising gratitude is also beneficial when we are caught in the trap of comparing our lives to others shifting our focus from what we lack to the abundance around us. This change in perspective can significantly reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm. Take time to appreciate simple joys like getting out for a quiet walk, spending time with loved ones or quiet moments of reflection. 

Be Mindful: Being intentionally mindful can effectively reduce stress. Each day, take a few minutes to breathe deeply. This helps to ground you in the present moment, alleviating anxiety about future tasks and events or spiraling into the past. A helpful grounding exercise involves observing your surroundings: identify five things you can see, four sounds you can hear, three scents, two things you can touch, and one thing you can taste. This practice helps anchor you in the present, easing worries about future tasks or past events.

So, from my home to yours have a restful, peaceful break and enjoy all the many good bits this season has to offer whilst honouring your own needs too! Remember, we are all doing our best with the skills and resources we have and none of us live the perfect TV version of life - thankfully!  Book a discovery call to find out how I can help you manage your stress and anxiety levels this festive season and beyond!