It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: seven tips for surviving the festive season

I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas. I love this time of the year - the music, the mince pies, the fairy lights, the rubbish telly and especially the chance to enjoy quality time with friends and loved ones. But it can be stressful too. Whether you’re at home alone, entertaining guests or spending time away with family or friends, Christmas is often one of the most emotionally challenging times of the year.

Although it can be difficult to prioritise self care when there’s so much else going on, there’s probably never a more important time to treat yourself with kindness, so here are my seven tips for surviving the holiday season in one piece:

1. Create boundaries and stick to them

Yes, I know it’s the festive season, but between celebrations with friends, office parties and family get-togethers, we can quickly find ourselves all partied out at this time of year, especially the introverts among us! Create some boundaries for yourself and stick to them. This might mean saying no to drinks with friends, skipping one of the office pre-Christmas lunches, or just making sure you’re tucked up by 10pm. 

2. Don’t overindulge - unless you want to!

Starting the day with a mimosa isn’t for everyone. I usually find the combination of rich food and alcohol a bit much, so I like to set myself a couple of boundaries - like drinking plenty of water, or making an effort to eat more fruit and veg - which helps me to feel more in control. That said, if you’re someone who loves to indulge at Christmas (it comes but once a year after all), then eat, drink, be merry and don’t judge yourself for doing it! 

3. Choose comfort

Don’t get me wrong, I love to break out the sparkly tops at this time of year and my friends will testify to the fact that I’m more than partial to a Christmas knit. Just remember to make sure you’ve got something comfy for the end of the day, especially if you’re not going to be at home for Christmas. Why not chuck on your fluffy slippers for Christmas day (I guarantee you won’t be the only one), and a pair of joggers or your favourite leggings or pjs for those cosy evenings by the fire… I promise you won’t regret it!

4. Stay healthy

I’ll admit that this one is probably easier said than done. Christmas can be emotionally and physically draining, so one thing I always try to do is prioritise sleep. Even though it can be difficult, I also try to stick as closely as possible to my usual exercise routine. That usually means swapping the gym for a brisk walk, or some gentle yoga at the end of the day instead of hitting the weights, but for me, staying active helps me to combat stress and feel more in control.

5. Schedule self care

Self care is for life, not just for Christmas! Christmas can sometimes feel as though it’s all about everyone else, and it can be easy to forget that our own batteries need charging too. Give yourself the time that you need - an hour’s peace and quiet goes a long way to resetting the clock. But if you can’t find an hour then even ten minutes for meditation, listening to your favourite music or just sitting alone with a cuppa can be really restorative. You can find more suggestions in my self care blog.

6. Set realistic goals for yourself

At Christmas, we’re all guilty of wanting everything to be perfect, and often place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. The tree has to look like something out of Good Housekeeping; the presents have to be wrapped beautifully and nestling under the tree weeks in advance; the house has to be spotless and smell of mulled wine; and the IKEA gingerbread house has to stick together first time (it won’t). Start by just taking a breath. Now… relax! Setting realistic goals and not expecting everything to be perfect is a much better recipe for a happy festive season. If the tree’s a bit wonky and the turkey’s a bit too well-done, who cares? 

7. Reach out

There’s probably no better time to reach out for support if you feel you need it. Even if you’re not spending time with family or friends this Christmas, then you can reach out to them with a phone call, email or text. If you’re feeling depressed or overwhelmed, you can also contact mental health charity MIND or call their helpline on 0300 123 3393.

Hopefully these tips will help you to enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season with a little less stress thrown into the mix.