Whether you are working all the way up until Christmas, starting to slow things down or are in full blown holiday mode, here are 5 ways to effectively reduce feelings of overwhelm and cultivate a sense of calmness during this festive season.
1. Take it easy on yourself!
To make your holiday season more enjoyable, it's best to be realistic about what you can accomplish in the lead up to Christmas. Try to avoid pushing yourself to finish incomplete projects or tackle new goals, as this can lead to burnout and unnecessary stress. Instead, be mindful of your capabilities and focus only on urgent tasks and top priorities. If possible, move less important or non-urgent tasks to next year or consider outsourcing them to lighten your load. By doing less, you'll have the opportunity to slow down and truly savour the last magical weeks of the year.
2. Set healthy work/life boundaries
Wrap up the year with ease and take a well-deserved break by setting healthy work/life boundaries. Boundaries are like personal rules that help separate your personal space, emotions, and responsibilities from others. They're crucial year-round but especially important during the festive season. Here are a few ideas to get you started: let clients know when you'll be available during the holidays, activate your out-of-office message, and prioritise your non-negotiable responsibilities so you know what time you have to play with around them.
3. Schedule in some time just for you
The holidays can be full of social events and gatherings, which can be overwhelming. To avoid social exhaustion and start the new year refreshed, dedicate a bit of time to yourself every day. Whether it's a 10-minute self-care activity, a solo walk, reading, or just sitting in peace, taking care of yourself allows you to maintain a healthy relationship with your mental health and well-being during this busy time. Remember, self-care is about focusing on your needs first.
4. Streamline Your Gift Giving
Instead of stressing over finding the perfect gift for everyone, consider doing it differently this year, for example, setting a gift budget or doing Secret Santa. This way, you can focus on thoughtful presents without feeling the pressure to find individual gifts for every person on your list. Simplifying your gift giving approach allows you to enjoy the spirit of giving without the added stress of a complicated shopping list.
5. Ask for help when you need it
It's common to try to handle everything by yourself, but bottling up stress only exacerbates it. If you're struggling or need assistance, reach out to someone you trust. Whether it's a colleague helping with your workload or a loved one assisting with Christmas preparations, seeking support can immediately relieve stress and make things feel much better. And you will usually find that other people want to help!
Would you like a free relaxation tool? You can access my calming hypnosis audio track here.
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