Stress less this Christmas

The festive season is a busy time – whether you're worn out from Christmas shopping, trying to keep the kids entertained over the school break, or trying to juggle your social calendar – there’s no doubt some of us find Christmas a little stressful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by Christmas this year, try these simple tips to help you feel a little less bah humbug.

Decorate your tree: if you haven’t decorated your Christmas tree yet, grab the tinsel and get to it! Play some Christmas carols while you work – the cheesier the better. If you live with friends or family, get them involved too.

Volunteer: amongst all the stress of shopping and Christmas parties, it’s easy to forget there are people who many not have any loved ones to spend the festive season with. Doing some volunteer work not only benefits those in need, it will make you feel good too!

Share the load: if you’re the host, ask everyone to bring a plate, rather than having to cook everything yourself. That will take a huge pressure off you, and this way everyone gets to contribute and show off their culinary skills!

Be prepared: don't leave your Christmas shopping to the last minute! It may be tempting to put it off till Christmas Eve, but with all the stress of buying all your presents in one night, it's not worth it! The Strand is open longer hours in the lead up to Christmas, for your convenience. Check trading hours here.

Don't go overboard: it’s easy to overspend at Christmas time, but going over budget will only cause you grief once your credit card bill arrives. Set a realistic budget and stick to it. 

Make time to move: at this time of year, it’s all too easy to overeat and drop your exercise routine. But staying active is a great way to let off steam, so make time for a few walks or swims over the break, especially if you’re feeling stressed over have eaten too much! 

Quality over quantity: you don’t have to say yes to every invitation. Make sure you schedule in some down time too, and enjoy quality time with friends and family.