Prioritise tasks in order of importance and tick them off when they are done. Make the tasks realistic- don’t burden yourself with impracticable goals which will only stress you out.
The festive season is a great time to make the important people in your life your top priorities and attend to these relationships.
Day Two- Think before you agree
We often agree to situations to meet other people’s expectations. There is no better example of this than the holiday season, when we try to squeeze everything into our diaries.
Practise saying “no” to requests that are unreasonable or more than you can handle at the time- rather than suffer subsequent regrets and stress.
We often agree to situations to meet other people’s expectations. There is no better example of this than the holiday season, when we try to squeeze everything into our diaries.
Practise saying “no” to requests that are unreasonable or more than you can handle at the time- rather than suffer subsequent regrets and stress.
Day Three- Practice Relaxing
Take time out for yourself and focus on breathing deeply.
Pay attention to each breath in and out as they follow rhythmically one after the other. This will ground you in the present and help you to move into a state of awareness and relaxation.
Take time out for yourself and focus on breathing deeply.
Pay attention to each breath in and out as they follow rhythmically one after the other. This will ground you in the present and help you to move into a state of awareness and relaxation.
Day Four- Identify your Stressors
Make a list of events which leave you emotionally drained. Once you have identified your stressors, connect each event with one or two ways to reduce the stress.
When these situations then arise, use them as an opportunity to practise stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing and note what works for next time.
Make a list of events which leave you emotionally drained. Once you have identified your stressors, connect each event with one or two ways to reduce the stress.
When these situations then arise, use them as an opportunity to practise stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing and note what works for next time.
Day Five- Take your Time
Don’t let people rush you.
Frenzied activities lead to errors, regrets and stress. If you feel like you are being rushed, request time to orient yourself to the situation before proceeding. Where possible, plan ahead and arrive at appointments early, composed and having made allowances for unexpected hold-ups.
Don’t let people rush you.
Frenzied activities lead to errors, regrets and stress. If you feel like you are being rushed, request time to orient yourself to the situation before proceeding. Where possible, plan ahead and arrive at appointments early, composed and having made allowances for unexpected hold-ups.
Day Six- Set aside time for exercise and recreation
Allow time for yourself. Gentle repetitive exercise such as walking, swimming and cycling are great to relieve stress brought on by the inevitable end of year rush.
Or perhaps you would prefer some meditation, yoga, Pilates and dance? The trick is to find what suits you best. Hobbies that demand your attention are also valuable as they can provide a much needed sense of individual achievement and satisfaction.
Allow time for yourself. Gentle repetitive exercise such as walking, swimming and cycling are great to relieve stress brought on by the inevitable end of year rush.
Or perhaps you would prefer some meditation, yoga, Pilates and dance? The trick is to find what suits you best. Hobbies that demand your attention are also valuable as they can provide a much needed sense of individual achievement and satisfaction.
Day Seven- Think Positively.
Smile whenever possible, you will be amazed at the difference this can make to how you feel.
If a difficult situation arises, try to walk away with a positive thought, this will help you deal with stressful times in the future.
Image by Matthew Johnstone
Smile whenever possible, you will be amazed at the difference this can make to how you feel.
If a difficult situation arises, try to walk away with a positive thought, this will help you deal with stressful times in the future.
Image by Matthew Johnstone
Day Eight- Watch your alcohol intake.
It’s easy to get caught up in the festive spirit and sometimes a drink or two can feel like the solution, but this is only temporary.
Drinking can create more problems in terms of physical and mental health.
Consider moderating your alcohol intake or switching to a healthier alcohol-free alternative like coconut water.
It’s easy to get caught up in the festive spirit and sometimes a drink or two can feel like the solution, but this is only temporary.
Drinking can create more problems in terms of physical and mental health.
Consider moderating your alcohol intake or switching to a healthier alcohol-free alternative like coconut water.
Day Nine- Perform small acts of kindness
Performing five kind acts a week creates a measurable boost to levels of psychological well-being. Giving not only makes you feel good about yourself, it enhances your connection with others and can bring you positive feedback from others.
Performing five kind acts a week creates a measurable boost to levels of psychological well-being. Giving not only makes you feel good about yourself, it enhances your connection with others and can bring you positive feedback from others.
Day Ten- Don’t do it alone
For some of us Christmas can be an overwhelming and occasionally isolating time, but we don’t have to do it alone.
If times get tough pick up the phone and talk to someone you trust. Or if you need help, don’t be afraid to contact one of our friends:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
For some of us Christmas can be an overwhelming and occasionally isolating time, but we don’t have to do it alone.
If times get tough pick up the phone and talk to someone you trust. Or if you need help, don’t be afraid to contact one of our friends:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Day Eleven- Live in the Moment
Try this one minute exercise: Sit in front of a clock or watch that you can use to time the passing of one minute. Your task is to focus your entire attention on your breathing and nothing else, for the minute.
Have a go- try it now.
Try this one minute exercise: Sit in front of a clock or watch that you can use to time the passing of one minute. Your task is to focus your entire attention on your breathing and nothing else, for the minute.
Have a go- try it now.
Day Twelve- Have fun
It is important to not get caught up in all the festive planning and forget to enjoy yourself. Join in the festivities, be a bit silly and have fun!
Tis’ the season after all.
It is important to not get caught up in all the festive planning and forget to enjoy yourself. Join in the festivities, be a bit silly and have fun!
Tis’ the season after all.
I hope that these tips help just a little bit and most importantly remember you are not alone.
I actually couldn't sleep last night because I had left everything to the last minute AGAIN. Yes I only have myself to blame. Plus nearly every store has sold out of trampolines and I really need one, (not necessarily me) but after totally freaking out I found one, so yay I should be my normal self tomorrow, not the half crazed maniac I was today. Am going to set an alert to read this in November 2016.
ReplyDeleteI wish you had yelled out I might have been able to help out with the trampoline my cousin is senior management at a sports store and might have been able to organise one. I think his are the top of the line and very pricey but if it was in your budget it might have helped out with your stress levels. Next time shout out to the world and see if anyone can help.
DeleteHope you return to normal tomorrow (I am personally a long long way from normal levels of stress lol ... so I am happy to hold your hand if you don't return to normal xoxo)