How to stress less this Christmas
How to stress less this Christmas
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
with the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer-
It’s the most wonderful time of the yeeeeaaaarrrrr!” -Andy Williams
On the other hand, your reality could be quite different from the ideals which this song implies! The kids are not happy jingle belling, they want the latest ipad! A new mountain bike and an annual subscription to Spotify and Disney plus for their Christmas present! if that’s not enough to worry about you’ve got 5 more Christmas parties to go to -each needing a different outfit. Just don’t mention Ten members of your Family for dinner on Christmas Day (Including Uncle Phil and Aunty Sandra-who aren’t talking) and a Pescatarian to feed.
Over 50% of Women say that they find Christmas stressful- There's also the added pressure of financial worries and feelings of guilt if you can't afford to buy your children or loved ones the presents that they really want. YouGov.co.uk
the solution?
To help yourself, take yourself off to the coffee shop and spend 30 minutes planning your attack……..A list of everything in your head, this is a classic way to sort sh@t out! -hit the pen and paper! The most common cause of overwhelm is a lack of structure and if you have structure you may be lacking prioritisation. Don’t worry most of us will suffer with overwhelm when it come to the run up to Christmas. A plan is what is needed. Once you have your list split it into the 4 heading below:
1. stuff you can dump:
If it’s neither important or urgent then dump it! You know how crossing things off of a list is really satisfying? -Dumping things from the list which is occupying valuable head space is also really liberating. -Go for it! In red pen, just like teacher did…..cross it off of that list and invest your time in the following areas….
2. Stuff you can delegate:
A continuation of the above. -No successful army has one soldier, in this sense, you are commander and soldier, and you have Friends and Family who will help if you ask. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, let those around you share their responsibilities, sharing the responsibility of Christmas can really help your relationships, none of us are perfect, and none of us deserve to be burdened by a fun, joyous time of year.
3. Stuff to do- by you:
These things are both urgent and important. Jobs that only you can do, for one reason or another. Things which have significant consequences if they aren’t done soon or by you. Be ruthless with this step. If someone else can do it for you PLEASE let them, you deserve to ENJOY Christmas too.
4. The decide, when you will do things:
Go back to the your “Stuff to do by you” list and begin to put dates/ times beside your tasks. When you do this air on the side of caution, allow plenty of time to do things, this avoids additional pressure. It’s much better to have finished todays tasks and relax or even move onto tomorrows tasks, rather than setting yourself up to fail (by trying to do too much at a time). We often underestimate the time it takes to get things done. Be kind to yourself.
5. Make time to self care:
One of the most common struggles that I see at Christmas is clients, who fail to take care of themselves. Take a moment now to commit some time to you. Supporting yourself is vital, if you are to support others without feeling exhausted and sometimes frustrated. I completely understand that you want a memorable Christmas for your Family. At the same time, I know that you deserve some of your own time. A quiet bath (bubbles mandatory). A walk, a few minutes with your book, or a few deep breaths can really change our outlook if we practice them regularly. Take this blog as expressed permission to self care in whatever way you want.
Here at Three Pillars of Fitness, we are passionate about setting you up to succeed and giving you the tools to live a happier and healthier life.
Why not work with me to reduce your own levels of stress and begin your health and fitness journey?- I have over 20 tools and exercises that can help you to get back to your old self. click here to contact me or give me a call on 07713 328010
Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones,
Andy
-Your PT, Mental Health and Exercise Coach
PS: Remember I’ve been there! Andy x
If you enjoyed this blog, read “How to make successful resolutions” next!