XMAS STRESS

Christmas is suppose to be filled with joy and happiness with families and friends but unfortunately it can also be a stressful time for many people due to a number of factors…

Let us take a look what is the biggest cause that can create stress during xmas period:

Finances: Worries about the cost of presents, or feeling guilty if you can not afford to buy what you want for loved ones

Relationships: Feeling pressure to celebrate with family members you may not get along with, or feeling isolated if others seem to be having a great time

Work: Working long hours to get things done before the holidays or just to simply make ends meet to buy gifts

Overindulgence: Overloading your schedule with too many events, or overindulging with food and drinks

Social media: Comparing yourself to others’ seemingly perfect Christmases and compete with others

Reflecting on the year: Feeling regret for goals you didn’t achieve (what we discussed before about making plans)

Here are some few tips to help reduce Christmas stress:

Set realistic expectations: Families who bicker during the year are more than likely to do so at Christmas too, so make sure to choose the right positive people

Avoid triggers: If politics or any negative subjects is a touchy subject in your family, don’t talk about it

Use relaxation techniques: Deep breathing can help cope with anxiety or tension

Plan for group activities: After lunch, plan something to do as a group to reduce the likelihood of arguments such as going for a walk. Do avoid competitive games such as monopoly as they are trigger points to escalate into arguments especially after few glass of wine or booze

Be mindful of self-medicating: Alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs can’t solve problems or alleviate stress in the long term unless you so desperately needed them to get through gruelling times at the last resort (Just joking)