You Feel Everything Is Getting On Top Of You

Keeping Your Cool for the Holidays – Stress Relief. You still haven’t bought the turkey or Christmas pud, the tree remains outside the door where the delivery man left it, your cards are in a pile unwritten, while your presents are still in a carrier bag waiting to be wrapped. You are starting to panic as you can’t see how you are ever going to get time to do everything.

Fight Back

• Delegate is the name of this game. Assign a task to each of the family. Get one wrapping, another decorating the Xmas tree, another writing the cards and so on. Cultivate a calm, quiet atmosphere while they are doing it by playing carols or other uplifting music. You will feel the weight lift off your shoulders and who knows they may relish the responsibility.
• Tap into your favourite supermarket’s website and start buying your festive foods online in advance. Don’t leave it until the last moment as you need to secure a delivery spot.
• Work out which traditions mean the most to you and scrap the rest to reduce your workload. For example, go for the fake holly if it is easier, and forget homemade mince pies unless you enjoy making them. Instead, go for natural varieties available at your local health store.
• For instant stress relief put a quarter of a teaspoon of ginger and honey in a cup of warm water and sip slowly. Alternatively, try the following simple breathing exercise. Take 10 long, slow deep breaths. As you inhale, hold your breath for three seconds and then breathe out in one easy exhalation.