Anytime we take on something extra than our usual routine there is a chance we might suffer from feeling overwhelmed. This can happen around Christmas time because on top of our usual routine there are presents to buy, more socialising than normal, a house to decorate, Christmas day to organise etc. We are aware that Christmas is going to happen all year long but often it gets left to that last minute and can be quite stressful.

If you have not already started planning everything that needs to be done then sit down and write a mega list of it all. Put yourself on Christmas day and think of all the things that will have needed to be done for you to be able to enjoy your day feeling relaxed.

Next, work backwards from Christmas day and think when each thing on the list needs to be done by. For example there might be certain deadlines for posting presents or ordering your Christmas food.

Lastly take out your diary and schedule in when you are going to do each task. This process of actually writing it in really helps to unload any pressure from your mind as you know you have planned time to get it all done.


Recruit some help - Whilst you are thinking about your list and planning when you are going to do everything have a think if there are any tasks you can delegate to other people, friends, partner or family members. For example if you are cooking the Christmas lunch perhaps someone else can prepare the vegetables or do the desert, or some one in your house hold and be in charge of the Christmas decorations. Christmas is a time for family and friends, it’s nice for everyone to feel involved and it brings people together when you work as a team.

Spread the love - Christmas is a perfect time for telling the people close to you that you love them. It might be something you do all the time anyway or only with certain people but a nice thing to do on the run up to Christmas is to have a think about those close to you in your life and perhaps write them a letter about how you feel about them or have a conversation about it. There might be people you have never told for some reason or another and what a special Christmas it could be if you really connected with them by expressing how much they mean to you.

Be kind to yourself -Christmas can be tiring and it can also be very emotional. If someone close to you is not around anymore or there is another upset the whole idea of celebrating can be the last thing on your mind. If this is the case be kind to yourself, do what ever you feel like doing, don’t feel you “have to” do anything. Think of things that make you smile and do them. Pamper yourself, eat healthily, get lots of rest - anything that makes you feel good. It’s common to drink your way through Christmas if you are feeling down but this will only make you feel worse, tiredness can distort the problem making it seem multiplied. Surround yourself with people who love you and care about you.

Relax, have fun - Christmas is supposed to be fun. We can get so caught up in the whole cycle of how it “should” be a certain way and we “should” be doing certain things that it’s easy to forget to enjoy it all! The planning will hopefully help that but if you start to feel miserable or stressed about how it’s not turn out the way it “should” be just remember there are no right or wrongs in our lives and what ever happens just happens, it does not mean anything. We attach our meanings to things all of the time but just because the Christmas dinner isn’t exactly cooked like every other year or if someone doesn’t turn up to a party – it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong!! Just relax and enjoy the moment. Each Christmas can be a different experience and it just is what it is.

Mending ties - There might be people you have to see around Christmas time that you would normally give a wide berth to or perhaps there are people you are just not going to have any contact with at all. If this is upsetting to you and you would like to resolve your differences Christmas is a good opportunity to do so. Sometimes just sitting down and having a frank conversation is all that is needed to be done to clear the air. If it is more than this and runs a lot deeper than perhaps this is the time to consider talking to a professional about resolving your differences. Take the initial step to do something about a problem can be a empowering experience in itself.

This article forms part of the Survival Guide for the Holiday Season read more
from the series here

To receive a life coaching session absolutely free and without obligation click here and Louise will be in touch with you shortly.