Christmas is fast approaching and with it, so too are rising stress levels. For all the talk at this time of year of parties and merrymaking, the silly season can be tainted by the exhausting roundabout of social gatherings, family disagreements and depleted bank accounts. Most of us subject ourselves to mad working binges beforehand, too. But suppose there was a way to cruise through December and be at your peak going into your holidays. Instead of worrying about every obligation or giving in to that crazy compulsion to catch up with every tenuous acquaintance, imagine we could learn to chill out and enjoy Christmas. So put away your diaries and down the to-do lists. Here is an experts guide to putting yourself into a relaxed headspace for the holiday season. * Family comfort... Family - or lack of it - can be a big source of stress during the break, says a Crows Nest psychologist, Victoria Kasunic. If you have relatives around, conflict is the main thing to avoid. Sometimes we dont actually see a lot of family for various reasons and when you come together at Christmas, old disagreements that havent been resolved bubble up again, she says. But Christmas dinner is not the time to rehash old battles, Kasunic says. She suggests treating relatives with the same respect as other friends and avoiding hot topics such as religion and politics. It also helps to focus on peoples good qualities. Relatives shouldnt be expected to play magic happy families, however. Rather, we should hold realistic expectations of ourselves and other people - and ask for help if we are hosting a get-together. As for singles, empty-nesters or people without family, Christmas can be a lonely time. Kasunic suggests reaching out to social networks or volunteering with a charity. Its really important to plan ... Christmas, whether thats being part of someone elses Christmas or a holiday with a friend, she says. If thats not an option then do something really nice for yourself. * Work smart... The rush to finish every scrap of work before an extended break isnt necessarily the evil some might assume, says an organisational psychologist from Brash Consulting, Leanne Faraday-Brash. If people work really hard to clear the decks its easier to relax, she says. We can tell ourselves weve left everything in good shape and were not going to come back to chaos. But we should be sensible about what we - and others - can achieve. Dont bully anyone else, dont let anyone bully you about unrealistic demands, get things done but reality-test what youre capable of achieving and manage your own energy, Faraday-Brash says. Its about striking that balance between a satisfied sense of accomplishment and sheer exhaustion. * Advertisement... When you are away from the office, avoid addictive behaviours such as compulsively checking messages from work. Its about being really mindful about work when were working and relaxation when were relaxing and not blurring the two, Faraday-Brash says. And dont ruin your last few days of leave by fretting about work. Instead, tell yourself: Im still away, I deserve to enjoy those last couple of days. Ill tackle that stuff when Im there. / Social planning... The end of the year is a great time to see old friends but socialising to the point of exhaustion misses the point, Kasunic says. My suggestion is to look at the weeks coming up to Christmas and dont commit to a party every night, she says. That contributes to how you feel ... your immune system is lower and youre potentially more irritable. Prioritising social obligations - and staggering related activities such as shopping and housework - will help you enjoy those outings. And while many people enjoy a wild night out on New Years Eve, this isnt true for everyone. You dont have to go partying or drinking if thats not your thing, Kasunic says. Organise something else. * Positive partying... We should keep our drinking habits in check during the holidays but there is no single rule to suit everyone, says a counselling psychologist in Annandale, Stefan Durlach. The key is to know how much you can handle - and, of course, never drive when drunk. Do it in moderation, know how much you cope with and how much is good for you and dont take it beyond that, Durlach says. Quite a lot of people get energy from socialising ... but it doesnt mean you have to get plastered every night. One way to gauge your limits is to consider the consequences for yourself and other people around you. If you know that these consequences are really unacceptable then you need to find a way of not going beyond a certain point. * Body care... Sleep, food and exercise are the three pillars of physical health - and you should not forget this before Christmas, Durlach says. Our usual routines can become derailed but its important to stick to some good habits. For example, you could try doing shorter bursts of activity, eating in moderation or stretching for a few minutes. The point is not to let exercise become another chore. Its about actually enjoying it ... rather than thinking this will be good for me and adding it to the list of 50 other items I need to do, Durlach says. Summer is also a good time to get into outdoor activities such as swimming or walking on the beach or to develop new habits to take into the new year. And if you want to stay out late, remember to catch up with a nap. You might even be able to indulge in a few bad habits for a short time - but only if you have the discipline to rein yourself in later. If not, its best not to stray too far. Its about doing things in moderation and knowing yourself and what you can cope with and what you cant cope with, Durlach says. * December doctrine * Get plenty of sleep. * Value good eating and drinking habits. * Dont overindulge all month. * Reduce exercise if you have to — but dont stop. * Know your limits and dont stretch them. * Avoid conflict and treat family members with respect. * Prioritise and plan your social obligations. * Tie up loose ends at work — but be realistic about what can be achieved. * Stagger jobs such as cooking, shopping and cleaning.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 00:22:38 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015