Stress and Christmas
Stress and Christmas can often go hand in hand. The word that sometimes comes to mind is expectations. Each year, the drive for the perfect Christmas seems to become more intense. So many people are stressed at this time of year. We, as individuals, may wish to have a quiet Christmas but we feel we must conform to other people’s view of Christmas. So what can we do?
First of all spend less and do less. Christmas has become a time of excess. Too many feel that unless they eat and drink to excess they are not having a great Christmas. Excess has become synonymous with success. We should strive for the opposite. Excess diminishes appreciation.
The same may be said about our loved ones. When we see them all the time we tend not to appreciate them - we take them for granted. If we only see them once a year or even every other year for a couple of days we appreciate them all the more. So we should apply the same principal to Christmas - less is more. Part of the stress we feel is that we should outdo everyone in the food and gift departments. This just devalues everything. Of course in arguing in favour of a frugal Christmas I will be, and indeed am, accused of being miserable. So be it!
If you find you cannot avoid getting caught up in the mayhem that can surround Christmas, make a vow to yourself that you will give yourself an hour or two of peace and quiet. Let your family know that you are going to take time out for yourself. This may entail some negotiation but it is worth it. Time alone for reflection is very important. You will be surprised how difficult it can be to ‘turn our head off’. We are consumed by activity and feel the need to be active. We have a more important need to be still.
Let’s talk about noise! Noise is stressful. Where can we get true peace and quiet? All shops and banks are noise filled environments. So another way to avoid getting stressed is to turn off the TV and inform everyone to lower the noise levels. Many people today are practicing mindfulness and some find it helpful, so it might be worth giving it a go.
Finally, Christmas day for many is stressful and hard work. At the start of Christmas day allocate the tidying up jobs post dinner. There is nothing so soul destroying that to come down on Stephen’s day to a roomful of detritus after Christmas day. We all have a responsibility to care for each other, so do your utmost to help. Whilst also thinking about how can I help relieve the stress on others, this will also help you consider what will relieve the stress on you. Funny isn’t it how helping others also helps us!