Well, the first thing to acknowledge is how the heck did Christmas get here so quickly? I need help just wrapping my head around that –  It was March last week, wasn’t it?!  We know that the Christmas season is filled with joy and cheer, but it can also be a time of stress and anxiety. Whether it’s navigating family dynamics or managing financial pressures, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some helpful suggestions to help you cope with the holiday season, so you can enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling Christmas.

Loneliness during the holidays

This is something that I’ve been hearing more of lately. Perhaps it’s because I now sit in an older demographic and people around me are losing loved ones? But anyway, the fact is, Christmas can be particularly difficult when you’re alone and / or feeling isolated. Why not try the following to help manage this:

1. Connect: Pick up the phone and reach out to friends and family. If that’s not possible,  join social groups and clubs and find out what they’re doing this holiday season.
2. Volunteer: Have you considered volunteering? It can be a rewarding way to connect with others and make friends, as well as give back to the community.
3. Practice Self-Care: Do the things you love! Re-read a favourite book, journal, paint, listen to music, spend time in nature… the choice is endless.
4. Mindfulness and Meditation: I can’t speak about these practices highly enough. Regular meditation can really help you stay present and reduce your feelings of loneliness. If meditation is a new concept to you that you haven’t tried before, why not find a meditation group to connect with? I just Googled some and the number, just in my location alone, surprised me!

Christmas can be an incredibly lonely time for many people

Managing family stress

Ohhh, yes, the family visit. It’s a double edged sword isn’t it? Family gatherings can be so joyful – until they’re not. Try the following tips to help you handle your fabulous family:

1. 1. 1. Limit alcohol intake! The number of arguments and tears that happen because Uncle John or Cousin Irene had one too many and started going off, is nobody’s business.
      2. Set Boundaries: Don’t feel obliged to attend every family gathering or participate in activities that make you uncomfortable. Own your space! It’s a busy enough time without fitting in stuff that you don’t enjoy anyway.
      3. Communicate Effectively: Express your feelings and needs calmly and assertively (probably not after a glass or 3 or Chardy. Pick some alone time, away from everyone before things get hectic).
      4. Practice Active Listening and Empathy: Pay attention to what others are saying and try to understand their point of view before wading in.
      5. Take Breaks: If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a break and spend some time alone. I’ve done it, and it works wonders. No-one is likely to argue with you if you’re “just going to have a nap”.
      6. Choose Your Battles: Not every issue is worth arguing about. No, it’s really not.
      7. Avoid Sensitive Topics: Steer clear of controversial topics that may lead to arguments.
      8. This article from Relationships Australia goes into more detail around how to manage family dynamics at Christmas, and it’s well worth a read.
   

   Not every issue is worth arguing about

    

   Financial stress and holiday budgeting

   Financial pressures of the holiday season can be significant. Here are some tips to help you manage your finances:

   1. Create a Budget: Set a realistic budget for your holiday spending – and stick to it! Do you really need to max out your card for a niece or grandchild who will most likely forget about their present in a few months’ time anyway?
   2. Shop Smart: Look for deals and discounts and avoid impulse purchases.
   3. DIY Gifts: Homemade gifts can be more personal and cost-effective. Candle kits are relatively cheap, and you can have a lot of fun creating something that you know will be appreciated. Home-made bath soaks with Epsom salts, a few essential oils and dried botanicals in a cute little glass jar also make for pretty gifts.
   4. Limit Spending: Be mindful of your spending habits and avoid overspending – see point 1 above!
   5. Secret Santa or Gift Exchanges: This can really help reduce the financial burden of buying Christmas presents. We’ve just started Secret Santa in my family this year and everyone is on board and looking forward to it. We’ve all agreed that we buy presents for the younger children in the family, plus our partners. Then, we only have one other person to buy for, with a set budget we’ve all agreed upon. I can’t wait to see what everyone gets! And we’re all stoked we’re saving literally hundreds of dollars.
   

   Set a realistic budget for your holiday spending

    

   Self-care during the holiday season

   Don’t forget to look after yourself during the festive season! It’s a full-on time, so it’s really important to prioritise your self-care.

   1. Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
   2. Eat Healthy Foods: Yes, it’s a time to indulge, but remember to fuel your body with nutritious foods too, to boost your energy. You’ll need it!
   3. Exercise Regularly: Even a short walk can help reduce stress and improve your mood – and help digest all that rich festive season food.
   4. Practice Mindfulness: Take time to relax and de-stress and go for a walk, read a book in a park, take a long relaxing bath or just lie down and do some deep breathing. It all helps!
   5. Limit Alcohol Consumption: I don’t know about you, but a few extra glasses of wine really mess with my circadian rhythm, and of course, there’s that day after ‘ugh’ feeling too. It might be fun at the time but try to be mindful of how much you drink. It will help you cope better with everything overall if you limit your alcohol intake.
   

   Fuel your body with nutritious foods, you’ll need energy!

    

   Dealing with holiday anxiety

   1. Limit Social Media: Excessive social media use can make you feel inadequate and what my friend refers to as ‘comparisonitis’. It can feel brutal, so be kind to yourself and go do something more productive instead!
   2. Seek Professional Help: This is a given. If you find that you’re struggling with severe anxiety or depression, please get some help from a mental health care professional.
   3. Set Boundaries: Again, boundaries! They matter!  It’s important to set them and prioritise your own well-being.
   

   If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider professional help

    

   Managing holiday expectations

   Let’s be honest, I’m sure we’ve all had expectations of what we think Christmas should be and how we want things to look and unfold on the day. It brings to mind that expression ‘man makes plans and God laughs’, which is so often the case with life in general. When things go belly up, it’s just easier to roll with it!

   1. Lower Your Expectations: Don’t expect perfection. Why are we so hard on ourselves? Or, for that matter, other family members? There’s absolutely no need! We’re all doing our best at a time where emotions are heightened, so just take a breath. Enjoy the day and gather up as many cuddles as you can. You’ve earned them!
   2. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Spend quality time with loved ones, and don’t focus on everything that isn’t going well. One of the best Christmas shopping experiences I ever had was actually with my ex-husband. We decided to do the midnight shopping thing (it was a brand new concept at the time in Australia), and we made a conscious decision to just have fun with it, no matter what. And despite the crowds and frenetic atmosphere, we cruised through the shops and had a laugh while we ticked family presents off our list. It’s a great memory which I still cherish.
   3. Accept Imperfections: Mistakes are inevitable, so don’t beat yourself up over them! So what if the table setting candles are drooping (a real concern in 35+degree heat in Australia), or you’re the second person to gift Susie the complete Harry Potter collection? It happens, and it’s not the end of the world!

   Enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling Christmas

   So, yes, it seems that Christmas is here more suddenly than ever, but hopefully the above tips can help you traverse the festive season with greater ease. And, here’s to a more peaceful and fulfilling experience this festive season too. Remember to take some time out and look after yourself!

   

   Focus on quality and enjoy your time with loved ones this festive season

   Love You. Love Life.