Stress-Free Christmas: Release Festive Anxiety and Conquer Christmas Nerves
Top tips for a stress-free Christmas and breaking free from the grip of anxiety
Christmas seems to come earlier every year.
As soon as Halloween was over, my children, especially my son, were already in full crafting mode for Christmas. We already have homemade paper chains up in the window and paper snowflakes are in production.
Full disclosure, I love Christmas. For me, it’s a happy time of year. I love watching my children immerse themselves in the magical world of Santa Claus and all things Christmassy.
And in the main, it’s a relaxed and calm time of year, where we remember loved ones no longer with us, celebrate the life we are fortunate to have and enjoy family time.
I know not everyone feels like this.
For some, Christmas can feel stressful, be full of heartache and can be an energy drainer, which sucks the fun out of life.
For some, Christmas can be an anxious time of year that triggers unwanted emotions, uncomfortable situations and physical discomfort.
For some, Christmas is just something to get through.
Does this sound familiar?
If so, the following will help you.
Remove the expectation
Expectations of an idealised Christmas create stress, amplified by financial pressure, making the season feel burdensome and overwhelming. The thing is, Christmas can be whatever we want it to be. It doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t have to be all bells and whistles.
It starts with setting realistic boundaries.
Rather than trying to achieve the unachievable, which is stressful, acknowledge what is possible and set the boundaries that keep Christmas contained.
Keeping up with the Jones’ is overrated and doesn’t make anyone happy.
Be brave and do Christmas how you want to do Christmas.
Decide your budget
Throwing more money at Christmas doesn’t equal fun and happiness. Christmas isn’t about spending more.
So, set a budget and stick to it.
If this feels like a challenge, because it’s really easy to just swipe a credit card, then draw out the cash and leave the credit card at home. That way you’ll be able to see in real terms what you’re spending because you’re more conscious of the money leaving your hands.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to what you want then see this as an opportunity to get creative. How can you do things differently so that Christmas is still what you want it to be?
Allow the family dynamics to wash over
The festive season may mean spending time with family members which can feel challenging due to strained relationships or unresolved conflicts. Feeling like you have to spend time with some people alone is stressful.
In this situation, I want to remind you that you have more power than you realise. Instead of choosing to react to people, harness the ability to respond with grace. How you respond is within your gift. You can choose to be triggered or ignore it.
Ultimately, focus on how you’d like to feel instead of the bubbling uncomfortable aching feeling that comes with reacting.
If you do find yourself in an uncomfortable situation there are a couple of things you can do. You can remove yourself temporarily and go get some air. You can focus on your breathing to neutralise your state. You can find comfort in the fact that whatever is being said is more likely a reflection of the person doing the talking.
Schedule in downtime
Christmas time is not about you being on the go 24/7. Christmas can only be enjoyed if you’re not feeling exhausted. We all need an opportunity to recharge our batteries.
Decide what that means to you and plan it in. To make sure it happens tell your loved ones what you need and ask them to help you make it happen.
Learn to let go
Sometimes all we really need is a way to let go of all the feelings, emotions and worries that may be building up inside us.
Find what works for you and let it become part of your natural routine. Whether this is meditation, journaling, being creative or something a little more intense like running, swimming or boxing. It’s about having an outlet so that you can release the emotions instead of holding onto them.
You see, a stress-free Christmas is possible. It starts by deciding things are going to be different and that you can instigate the necessary change that will make that happen. By incorporating these simple suggestions, you will transform the season into a time of peace, joy and connection. You are capable. Show yourself some self-compassion and make Christmas the festive holiday you want it to be.
Are you ready to make Christmas feel different this year?
You might also like to read, 3 reasons why self-talk is your biggest superpower
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