Christmas Stress Busters

Top 14 Tips To Deal With Christmas Stress

1. Take time out – when the craziness of doing stuff and getting stuff done is getting on top of you, take a half hour breather.

Reduce stress this Christmas

Whether its just getting outside and sitting in the sunshine or taking a walk, mini breaks will help you keep your sanity.

2. Scale it back – Christmas does not have to be a massive affair. Stick to just the main “must-dos” and scale back demands from others that you don’t have to do.

3. Balance doing things for other people with doing things for yourself – all those things that others expect you to do, keep them to a minimum, then every time you do something for someone else, do something nice for yourself (like some Christmas pampering!).

4. Put on your rose coloured glasses and try to look for the best in those around you. They are probably under just as much stress as you, so with those minor slip ups or moments of tension, try to let them slip on by.

5. Make exercise a priority – one of the best stress busters is exercise. Either working out at the gym or taking a long walk on the beach, try to find time to make it a regular thing. Put it on your Christmas to do list.

Self care this Christmas

6. Try to eat healthy foods (well at least semi healthy!). Your body needs nourishment .. fill it with sugar and alcohol and not much else then your body will become unbalanced and under nourished and will lead to greater stress and cortisol levels. Nutrition directly affects your mood .. make sure you do your best to keep your body at optimal calm.

7. Try not to let Christmas be a time to excessively indulge… feel free to indulge but try to not go too overboard. Your holiday season will be much more enjoyable if its not seen through the haze of a hangover.

8. Why not try some tried and true stress relievers? Meditation is a great way to have a psychological holiday and escape for a moment from the stress of the holiday season. Even ten minutes will make a big difference to your state of calm. Or try mindfulness, where instead of fighting against stress or negative thoughts, you instead just sit with them. Acknowledge they are there and just let them sit within you. Looking at them like a third party helps take the heat out of many negative emotions.

You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf

9. Sleep, sweet sleep. It’s easy to cut down on sleep to try to fit everything else in, but this is dangerous territory. Sleep is essential to physical and psychological well being. Try to make it the full 8 hours, and leave the tv in the bedroom off. Guard your sleep and make sure that during the stressful lead up to Christmas you get enough good quality, uninterrupted sleep. Your body and mind will thank you.

10. Massage – massage has been shown to be one of the best ways to reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone. If your body is running on empty, schedule in some time to relax, switch off your brain, and relax your body. As your body relaxes so will your brain.

12. Savouring – one of the easiest ways to take a mini break and live in the moment. Once a day, consciously stop to savour something beautiful. It could be as easy as stopping to really take in the scent of a flower (yes really stop and smell the roses!) or sitting under a big blue sky in the sun, soaking up the warmth, or even really savouring a great meal (even if its just a gorgeous ripe mango).

Christmas spa voucher from Ripple

13. Gratitude – writing down each morning five things that you are grateful (even something as simple as “waking up this morning”) has been shown to be very effective in increasing positive affect.

14. Asking for help – Struggling to get everything done? Feeling overwhelmed? Call on those near you to help you out. Those people with good social networks often are less stressed and happier than those without. Use them this holiday season if you are feeling that things are getting on top of you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or outsource things that you can get others to do so you can enjoy the holiday season.

Like to know more? Give us a buzz on 0438 567 906 or book your favourite holiday stress buster online at www.ripplemassage.com.au