The festive season can feel like too much in the best of years, but this year a lot of us are feeling more stressed, lonely, and worried than ever before:
- Trying to visit everyone and catch up before Christmas
- Cabin fever and wanting to do right by our kids
- Adding more and more to a never-ending to-do list, trying to balance down-time with getting stuff done
- Making the limited finances cover everything on the “wish list”, whilst still keeping enough back for those rainy days
Is it beginning to look a lot like Christmas?
The team here at InTah has been chatting about what we are going to do to help ourselves through December and into the new year, and we thought we would share our top 5 Tips to help you survive this festive season in the hope that they might help you too:
5 Tips to help you survive this festive season
1. The “present” conversation
Have a chat with family and friends as early as possible around present buying; establish who is buying for who, and set budgets – why inflict stress upon yourself (and everyone else) when a simple conversation could lighten everyone’s load?
Receiving gifts are great, but if you find yourself on Boxing Day with a load of stuff that you don’t want or need, and having to find a place to put it for when that relative pops over next, it just adds to the burden. Why not suggest gifts of joint experiences, days out or a parking pass for your favourite family day out?
Still feeling overwhelmed, check out the benefits of owning less stuff!
2. Take time out.
Try and get outside every day. A walk around the block or a more grand excursion will support you in getting your daily dose of daylight, clear your head, and refresh your soul.
Maybe you could combine this with a daily exercise challenge?
Walk/jog/run a certain distance and see if you can improve your time over a certain number of weeks or cycle somewhere you’ve never been before, the possibilities are endless and the benefits are bountiful.
3. Be sure to nourish yourself.
It’s times like these that we really do need to do our best to take care of ourselves; body and mind. Eat the best food that you can, drink more water, and rest when you need to.
Use any newly found free time to read, listen to podcasts, or watch educational material; for fun as well as future work purposes.
4. Rely on routine.
When you’re out of routine, it is too easy just to drift through your day without a sense of time or accomplishment; take back some power by establishing a daily ‘holiday’ routine that works for you.
Wake up at the same time every day and maybe meditate or stretch before breakfast.
Set time aside for your daily outdoor adventure or exercise.
Notice when you are at your best; are you able to utilise this self-awareness to your advantage?
Have a realistic daily to-do list and complete it. This can be work-related or holiday-specific activities, it could be household chores or calls with friends; it’s a visible opportunity to feel triumphant at the end of the day.
Keep up your bedtime routine to encourage a deeper more restful night’s sleep.
5. Look forward.
We are all guilty of comparison, or dwelling on negative family situations when the intensity and frustration gets too much, but reflecting on the good parts and allowing ourselves to move on makes such a difference. We need to step out of our own way, acknowledge where we are at, and continue to strive for more.
Our lives are a constant stream of ups and downs, but its all part of riding the rollercoaster – onwards and upwards.
Join us over on Instagram @InTahUK for more tips and self-care advice.