Top 10 healthy tips to survive this Christmas…..

It’s Christmas – and mentally, it can be a huge challenge for everyone, from trying to stay healthy to over-committing to those family meet-ups.  Here Katrina Love from Happy People Solutions suggests ten simple tips to help you survive the festive season.

I am definitely a Christmas person, says Katrina; I wait with baited breath and anticipation for the end of November to roll around again.  Yes it’s me,  I’m the one waiting to play Christmas tunes and browsing shop aisles to see if Christmas stock is already in… “It is ? Tut, tut, earlier each year!” Accompanied by a secret smile.

So, we’ve made it.  The run up to Christmas is undeniably here, as well as the countdown for a hopeful New Year…

I have just read a survey that quotes stress levels go up by 62% during this holiday period, and although surprising, it is easy to see why.  And there you were thinking it was just you! Even if you love Christmas with a passion, it is still easy to get stressed, especially if you want perfection. So imagine if you don’t like it?

So, how do we survive Christmas? good question. Here’s a few ideas…

1. Plan; this one’s pretty easy. Make a list, obviously check it twice (LOL) and yes I am a list lover in day to day life, but at Christmas there are so many lists to do – presents, meal plans, decorations, invitations  and so on.  All those possible ticks to make.  Also it is always much easier with your own written instructions to follow.
2. Start early; you already have your list… what are you waiting for?
3. Gifts don’t have to be bought in November and December, start looking for ideas at any time in the year, however, note to self; write it down when you have brought a gift, who it’s for and, of course, where you have put it!
4. The earlier you begin doing your Christmas chores the more chilled the Christmas period can be. Leaving things to the last minute is extremely stressful and overwhelming. We can get angry with ourselves for doing this (again and again and, well, you get it…)….and if decorating the tree/ shopping seems like a bind, call in family or friends.  Someone be out there is waiting to be asked.
5. Be kind to yourself.  Avoid too many commitments.  I know, there may be large blanks in your social calendar most of the year, but now it looks like you are the most popular person in the world, but only go to events if YOU actually want to.  They are just invitations.  It seems odd that the people we  try to avoid most of the year suddenly become so difficult to avoid. And the feeling of fake obligations, where did that come from?  If you do decide to decline an invitation, say no instantly (no guilt required) this is better than letting people down at the last minute.
6. Put boundaries in place re: family commitments, yes I know they are your family but if you don’t get on with them it can become toxic.  It is extremely hard because many of us feel torn by this self enforced loyalty and our own mental health.  Put your boundaries in place, allocate specific times and stick to them.
7. Don’t overeat.  Apparently it’s not compulsory.  I just googled it.  Eat what you love, but not all the time over the entire holiday period.  Be aware of mind manipulations from food sellers or manufacturers, do you actually like vol-au-vents or the plethora of beige choice party snacks? Really?  Obviously pigs in blankets are a total game changer so we won’t go there, but the endless boxes of cheap chocolates wrapped in coloured papers always seem like a good idea.  Until you actually think about it.
8. Stay healthy.  Take the time to exercise, run or walk, and I’m not just talking about round the shops or the journey to the fridge and back to the sofa. Now of all times it is great to hook-up to those free endorphins for so many reasons. Self care being one, as well as more energy, stress relief, burning calories (see beige choices), building up an appetite, and it’s also a great excuse to get out of general household chores and family spats.
9. Have adventures.  They don’t have to be huge. Try different foods (maybe not the vol-au-vents), go to that Christmas market or the switching on of twinkling lights somewhere. Bring out the child in you and pick up some of that Christmas magic.
10. So you may think this is fake news, but Christmas is also about YOU – a contradiction to what you may have been led to believe, but you can also enjoy yourself.  What do you want to do to relax and have fun? You are entitled to this to.

Get mindful.  Slow down and absorb yourself with the sights, smells and tastes of Christmas. Time for you.  Madness I know to suggest this one, but it’s about your flow time.

What do you want to do to relax and have fun?

Watch out for those flashes of joy.  Collect them throughout the day.  These are what happy memories are made of and, at the end of the day, they are all we are left with, which leads us to feel hopeful for the future and happy because of the memories we have made.

Merry Christmas everyone. 

If you would like to learn more about a positive mindset, visit the Happy People Solutions website.