As the end of November creeps up on us and Christmas gets ever closer, how are you feeling?
We are coming up to an overwhelming time of year. Lots of pressure to buy the best gifts – going after the new trends or buying the most expensive trainers or toys. Spending time with family near and far can be great or awful depending on who they are and the relationship you have with them. We focus on others needs and wants and must haves and push our own needs to the side.
So lets come up with a plan to ensure we don’t run out of steam before the big day hits.
There are five full weeks to go before the 25th December, and here are five things you can do to help yourself and ensure you don’t run out of steam and make this time as relaxing as it can be.
- Breathe – Rush, rush, rush. Whether you are shopping online or running around from store to store trying to find the perfect gifts for those you love, take a moment to breathe deep. Although we breathe without thinking thanks to the autonomic nervous system, we often do shallow chest breathing rather than filling our lungs and breathing deep into our belly. Each morning when you wake up, before you put your feet out of the bed take five slow deep even breaths. Start the day being aware of your breath and throughout your day when you are sitting down to eat lunch and dinner or you start to feel overwhelmed stop and take five deep breaths, slow your breathing down. Notice how you feel before and after the breaths.
- Make a list – not a naughty and nice list, although you can if you wish! Write down all you have to do before Christmas Day, I mean everything that is in your head. It’s good to get it out and dump it down onto paper. Can it be sorted into different categories such as Gifts, food, cleaning/tidying? Some items you wont complete until the last minute, but for all the rest pick an item or two from the list each day and work through them. It’s crazy what we put ourselves through at this time of year, help yourself out by being organised and giving yourself plenty of time to do what you need.
- Delegate – why keep all these tasks to yourself. Pass them to others in your family or friendship group. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. Perhaps you don’t think it will be done to your standards, but isn’t it better to get help than try to make things perfect. Remember good is better than perfect, if perfect is going to cause you stress, anxiety or pain. Ask for help and accept it. You don’t have to struggle on to get everything done in time for Christmas.
- Make time for you – Ok so you may be thinking how the heck do I do that amongst all the crazy that’s going on! Well it’s easier than you think! When you are in the shower, use your favourite shower gel or shampoo and take time to wash it into your skin or hair and really enjoy the smell, the sensation, the bubbles. Or what about getting up 5 minutes earlier and reading a page or two of your favourite book. At lunchtime, use this time to eat of course, but do something you know relaxes you and makes you feel good. Find a space to do some yoga or to sit and listen to some music uninterrupted. Go for a walk or call a friend and have a chat. Do you paint or draw or like to play chess? Then do it. It is your lunchtime and yours to do with what you wish, whether you take five minutes or 40 minutes, enjoy every moment and relax.
- Say no – There is always so much going on at this time of year that we spread ourselves too thinly. If you want to do something then do it, but if you don’t want to or know you don’t have the time, then say no, nicely. People understand. You don’t want to overload your diary or to do list. so say no and don’t feel guilty about it. You may inspire others to be kind to themselves and start saying no too.
Hopefully some or all of these points will help to reduce any stress in the lead up to Christmas time. It can be a difficult and overwhelming time of year, so be kind to yourself, take the pressure off and do the things you enjoy to ensure you have a lovely time.
Take care and have a good week.
Look after you!
Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 