Tips to survive the festive season...part 3...Coping!
Enjoying not stressing.....
This time of year can be stressful, busy, lots of fun, sad, depressing, exhausting and more. Some people love it, others hate it. In this final part of my series on surviving the festive season I give you some tips on how to make it to January with minimal "damage".
- Look at your diary and plan some down time. Keep a few nights/days free for rest and relaxation. You'll need it. If you don't plan for it, it may not happen and you'll suffer the consequences later. Be realistic about what you can fit in and be kind to yourself.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed, just sit and breathe deeply for a couple of minutes. It is very calming and instantly reduces the sensation of stress.
- Try to fit in some time every day for some laughter, your favourite music or something to help elevate your mood when you are feeling stressed.
- Get a good night's sleep as often as you can. You don't want to start the New Year off even more exhausted than you were at the end of the old year.
- Don't let your exercise routine drop. This is the time of year when you need it more than anything to help burn off the extra calories and manage your stress levels.
- Remember, Christmas is a date on a calendar for religious reasons. Artificial or self-imposed pressures to see people or get things done by Christmas just add to your already-stressed lives. Plan some activities for January instead if you can.
- Don't forget the sunscreen and hat. There's nothing like a good dose of sunburn to spoil your time off.
- If this is a time of year you don't look forward to, then be kind to yourself and plan some nice activities...a massage perhaps, a pedicure, a movie night, a trip to your favourite café or anything else you can look forward too.
- Volunteer to help out those less fortunate. It's a deeply satisfying activity.
- Try to follow my earlier tips on eating and drinking over the festive season. Eating healthily will help reduce stress levels and maintain your energy.
- Take some time to reflect on all the good things that have happened this year and appreciate what you have achieved rather than dwelling on the negatives.
So, there you have it. Lots of tips for surviving and enjoying the festive season. I hope you will take up at least some of my suggestions and that way you will come out the other side relatively unscathed.
In good health,
Kaye Wright
Naturopath
Melbourne CBD
