Christmas and the holidays are coming!
It's THAT time again!
Where's the year gone???
This time is traditionally a time where we are winding down from the year after cramming in everything that needs to be done for work as well as Christmas parties, holiday planning, buying presents and all in in all it can be quite exhausting! Not quite the ideal! Here are some Tips for managing the Christmas stresses, and try the December Kindness calendar... (It's the 'presence' not 'presents' that really count isn't it?) with a few planning tips for the holidays, and why not make some time to slow down using our 10 Steps to Unwind and the Mindfulness tips over this period? It's good to reflect on what went well this year, and what aIl I've learned and on what is important to me...
Remember EAPworks is still available over the holiday period -
0800 SELFHELP - 0800 7435 343
12 Tips for Managing Christmas
Christmas is a special time of year but can be very stressful with all the expectations that can be around it. Here are a few tips that may help:
1. Have realistic expectations – remember most of us are under pressure at this time. Don’t expect too much of each other. Take time out if it gets a bit much.
2. Calculate how much disposable income you have to spend gifts - be creative and remember it's not the size of the gift that counts....have you thought of giving a voucher to do something special for someone e.g plant them a garden rather than a money gift ...
3. Keep your food simple and easy to prepare – and plan ahead so you can limit what you have to do on the day. Get everyone to bring a plate. Delegate tasks so the load is shared.
4. Keep the cost of presents down by only buying for the children in your family, or having a system of drawing names, or set a limit for how much to spend on each other’s present.
5. Make a list of all the gifts you wish to buy before you go shopping. If you wait for inspiration to strike, you could be wandering aimlessly around the shopping centre for hours.
6. Cook enough so you can have a rest the next day.
7. Think about doing something for someone else – a family member, a neighbour, or a friend in the community.
8. Limit your drinking of alcohol – too much leads to unhelpful behaviours, as sadly our domestic violence statistics indicate. Again, take time out if the pressure builds…
9. Family members involved in after-lunch activities (such as cricket on the back lawn) are less likely to get into arguments. Plan something for the group to do together.
10. Are holiday lights on the house critical? If yes, go for it, but if it seems more like a “chore” than a pleasurable task, that’s a clue about its priority and importance to you.
11. Use relaxation techniques, such as focusing on your breathing to cope with anxiety or tension. Or take a break and go outside for a walk.
12. If you need to chat over this time, call EAPworks on 0800 SELF HELP.
10 Ways to unwind after a full on work year
1.Read for pleasure - escape into another world in a light book
2. Listen to your favourite music - music alters your mood and can take you to another place in your mind...
3. Spend time with a pet - known to lower plood pressure and anxiety
4.Relax in a bath or spa... add in some aromatherapy..
5.Surround yourself with candles or incense - there's something about watching a flickering flame - but don't leave it unattended!
6. Gentle relaxation such as yoga or stretches - has benefits for the body and the mind
7. Do your favourite hobby or interest that you haven't had time to do - lose yourself in it...
8. Get into the kitchen and try cooking something different ...
9. Spend time with someone/something that makes you laugh
10. Get out into the healing power of Nature - let your 5 senses enjoy it! It is a great healer.
Julie and Mark and the EAPworks Team would like to wish you a restorative festive season and a safe happy holiday ! We look forward to being of support into 2018.
