Gillian Brown
Tis the season to be jolly, so they say, but for most Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year what with the expense of gifts, last minute shopping, excessive partying, entertaining the children, managing family get-togethers... the list is endless.
Whether you look forward to, or dread, the festive season, with the countdown to the chaos that can be Christmas now on, leading life and coach training expert, Gillian Brown promotes a range of techniques and steps to ensure a stress-free time for all...
Whilst Christmas can be a challenge, you can minimise stress through planning and there are five key areas to focus your efforts on:
Finances - plan out your budget
Manage your time - lists
Personal wellbeing - exercise
Managing family time
Socialising - Xmas parties!
Some top tips to focus your efforts on:
Finances
· Make a goal and draw up an action plan at least five weeks before Christmas I want a stress free, relaxed Christmas!
· Plan your budget, work out what you can afford and stick to your budget
· Make a list of all the presents you need to buy and research these on line to get the best deals, know which stores stock them why run from shop to shop...! Before you know it, you’ll have a list of the top presents you need to buy, where you’ll buy them from and how much it’s going to cost you!
· Give yourself a target of buying a quantity of presents every week, space your purchases out, you’ll feel the stress drain away as you tick off each purchase
Time management
· Plan, plan, plan... lists avoid mental clutter
· Chart what you need to do week by week
· Approach your Christmas dinner like an event, write a timetable of what needs to be done by when; buy online, share costs
· Let your partner, spouse and children help with the chores
· Write out your Christmas card list and write them over a period of weeks
· Make time for yourself and take a break, whether it’s a facial, hair appointment or quiet walk round the park
Personal wellbeing
· Exercise is a great tonic and stress buster
· Try to build in two to three hours a week and give yourself a pat on the back for sticking to it not only is exercise a real motivator and stress reducer, you’ll be better equipped to deal with any stress and look fantastic in your little black dress!
· When things are getting too much, re-energise, close your eyes and take a moment to focus on deep breathing, the beauty of this is that you can do it anywhere. Do it for five, ten or twenty minutes...
Managing family time
· Decide where and with whom you are seeing over Christmas and be honest and up front
· Christmas shouldn’t be about family obligations but all too often family pressure and guilt will determine where you spend Christmas Day but it’s within your control. Write down all of your family’s expectations and plan your socialising out - write down what you want to say to parents, in-laws, spouse and plan when you can fit everyone in
· See people before Christmas Day or on Boxing Day if you’d prefer to spend time with your partner, spouse and kids
Socialising
· Avoid overindulgence where you can... hangovers won’t help!
· Allow yourself to have fun, be relaxed and enjoy your friends company
· Learn to say no - prioritise your social events, you don’t have to attend everything
· Mix and Match your wardrobe you do not need a new outfit for every event, just accessorize!
· If you have over committed and you are feeling tired, bow out gracefully from an event early, you don’t always have to be the last one standing
· If you are drinking make sure you replenish your body with plenty of water. So the day after make sure you drink at least your 2 litres a day.
So, at the end of all of this, by Christmas Eve, you should be able to sit back with a fine bottle of wine and be thankful for your blessings!