5 tips for minimising stress and maximising you-time over Christmas

Do you remember when the most stressful thing you had to do around Christmas was learn a couple of lines for the nativity at school? (And beg your mum to buy you the popular toy that year!)

Those were the good old days! We have to deal with a different kind of adrenaline now. The adrenaline of rushing everyone to their various Christmas events, wading through the crowds of Christmas shoppers and making sure everyone is happy.

As we prepare to buckle down and ride out the Christmas chaos, can I suggest you do something different this year? I encourage you to think of a few things you can do over the next couple of months that will help you feel a little calmer, stay organised and soak up the magic of Christmas. 

Don’t overcomplicate it! We don’t have the time or headspace for that. I’ve learned I’m a lot less stressed over the Christmas period when I do these few simple things. 

Recognise you're important too

It’s easy to get so caught up in making Christmas special for everyone else that we forget about ourselves. Father Christmas or no Father Christmas, we’re still humans with needs. When I forget about myself in the holiday rush, I’m totally burned out by Christmas day and don’t fully enjoy it. Yes, it’s a time for giving but you can’t pour from an empty cup. Making sure I do a little something for myself every day helps me handle busy times like Christmas. 

Understand the self-care that works for you

Everyone finds different self-care techniques useful. A bubble bath with a candle isn’t my thing. A dance party in the living room? See you there! Reflect on the self-care you find most helpful. What calms you right down or helps you feel in control of the day? I bet there are things you used to do that you’ve forgotten about and can bring back in some shape or form over the next couple of months. The point is you do something for yourself. Let go of any ideas about what self-care ‘should’ look like. 

Use pockets of time

Does anyone have time for self-care in December? I’ll admit you’re probably not going to be taking whole afternoons off to recharge. Focus on finding pockets of time that you can use to decompress before moving on to the next thing. 10, 5 or even 3 minutes is long enough to do something for yourself - listen to a song you love, do a breathing exercise or read a couple of pages of a book. Use the time you have because every little calming moment helps. 

Use your journal

Journaling is a lifesaver during busy times. You can use it to get all your thoughts out of your head and onto the page. It’s a massive emotional release! You can also use your journal to organise your thoughts into to-do lists so you don’t worry about forgetting anything. Taking 3 minutes in the morning to jot down everything I need to do that day makes such a difference to how my day turns out! 

On top of the busyness of this time of year, there are the emotions. Your journal is your private place to work through whatever you’re feeling. Yes, it’s an exciting and fun time but it can also be overwhelming if you have to deal with difficult family dynamics or you’re grieving a loved one. Let it all out so it’s not bottled up inside of you. 

Start sooner rather than later

The trick to maintaining your self-care routine over Christmas is to start now! This is the time to figure out what works best for you, experiment with different ideas and get into a routine. By the time you really need it, your self-care techniques will be like second nature. You’ve already formed the habit of journaling in the morning or having a quick exercise session before the school run. Lay the foundation before you’re caught in the chaos. 

Christmas is a magical time of year. There’s no point in denying it’s also a crazy busy and emotionally overwhelming time of year. When we acknowledge that and prepare for it, it becomes easier to handle. Get some tools in your self-care toolbox ready to go. 

This November, The Journal Vibe Club is preparing and practising self-care for busy times so we feel ready to take on the Christmas chaos. The daily journal prompts will help you both build the habit of journaling and uncover the type of self-care that works best for you. As a member, you’ll have a community around you, egging you on and sharing their experiences. Join The Journal Vibe Club and lay the foundation for a wonderful Christmas time.