Excited about Christmas or already stressed?

It's ironic isn't it? 

The most wonderful time of the year when we should be slowing down and chillaxing, but in reality, the lead up to Christmas can bring even more stress to your already cranked up stress levels. 

The anxiety of organising to see everyone, to go to parties, get beautiful and thoughtful gifts, wrap said beautiful and thoughtful gifts.... it goes on and on... and can be anything but relaxing.

Hell, there is even an index for Christmas related stress, can you believe it?

However I am determined not to let stress get in the way of having an awesome time and actually enjoying the moment, so why don’t you do the same?

This year take things down a notch or two, aim for done rather than perfect and actually take the time to enjoy the moment rather than rushing to get everything done,  spend a little less money, take care of your health, add lots of deep, calming breaths in there, a bit of exercise in nature and you will be fine!

Here are a few shifts I teach clients to calm down and reduce stress. 

You can use them anytime, in fact I strongly suggest you do, but for now, start by using these stress reducing tips in preparation for Christmas. And you never know, you might be able to keep up your new stress reducing habits into the new year!

BREATHE

Breathe is the most underrated and under-utilised detoxifying and calming wellness tool you have in your "feeling awesome" tool kit, yet so few people give it any attention. But you should, its magical!

A fast paced, shallow breath we often engage in when we are anxious or stressed  doesn't belong in your day. 

Not only does shallow breathing prevent you from distressing, it actually goes further and amplifies your stress levels by activating the sympathetic nervous system, creating a myriad of additional physiological changes to increase your stress levels even more. 

On the flip side, deep, nasal breaths into your belly create the opposite effect. 

When you breath though your nose your breath is shunted down to the pit of your lungs, activating your parasympathetic nervous system, the rest and digest part of the nervous system. 

This system places your body in a state of calm, unlike the opposing branch of the nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system which puts your body in a state of stress.

By taking deep calming breaths you will be able to reduce your stress almost immediately. You will very likely feel the shift in your headspace and body immediately.

EXERCISE

The benefits of exercise on the management of stress are huge. 

Exercise has a direct effect on the body's stress hormones, principally cortisol, particularly if exercise is regular and consistent. By triggering the release of the  mood improving chemicals, endorphins you can handle stress much better and actually reduce it. Endorphins also act as natural painkillers, helping to fix elements that stress us out, such as pain. Win, win!!

The practice of exercise also does wonders to your mindset, switching your focus and your environment. 

It doesn't have to be in a gym, exercising in nature is amazing for your reducing your stress levels. 

Aim to get your heart pumping and blood circulating and follow it up with some long held stretches. You will feel the stress disappear the longer you stretch. 

PRACTICE SAYING NO

You don't have to go to every party, do every chore that you are asked to do, or visit every single relative over the holidays.

Why is it we seem to put even more pressure on ourselves at this time of the year. Be selective about what you do with your time, it’s the most precious commodity you have.

Spreading yourself too thin and accepting too many engagements will only lead to increased stress and reduce your enjoyment. This is your Christmas too!

Shift your thinking that saying no shouldn't be and isn't to be interpreted as you don't care or you cant be bothered, rather just accepting that you only have so much time in the day and prioritising you. 

You can’t do everything, and you shouldn’t want to. Those 1440 minutes of the day are precious, guard them and spend them carefully. 

Ask yourself when you are feeling pressured to go to an event or host a dinner or party, what are you going to get out of it? Sounds selfish but its not, its just self care. Rename saying no as self care and it is so much more digestible don't you think?

EMBRACE NATURE

Ok, I dont mean you have to go and hug a tree (although that might be nice) but get yourself out in nature. 

Being out in nature has a magical effect on our wellbeing and should not be ignored. 

Not only does the fresh air and change of environment do wonders for our wellbeing, but also the visual impact of nature. 

Fractals are repeated geometric shapes that exist in our natural environment. Being around nature, even having a plant or a picture of natural elements on your wall can help your brain calm down and match the serenity of nature. 

And if you can't get out in nature?  No problem. Studies show that even looking at a picture of nature or being close to a window to see nature can have a similar though less intense effect on your wellbeing.

We are part of nature, so it makes sense that for us to feel calm and at home would be to be in that environment.

EXERCISE MODERATION 

Christmas for most us involves a lot of eating, especially rich and indulgent, far from healthy foods. Whilst enjoying these foods is ok in moderation, be sure to focus on the moderation.

Just because there is a sumptuous buffet of never ending food it doesn't mean you have to enjoy all of it. 

Focus on tasting the food rather than just putting it in your mouth. Eat mindfully, chew your food properly and eat sat down ideally with a knife and fork.

Overly processed and rich foods upset our gut bacteria resulting in not only indigestion, constipation, headaches and inflammation, but our gut is responsible for the production of 70% of our feel good hormone, serotonin. 

When the gut biome is imbalanced negatively our serotonin production can be significantly effected.  These low levels of serotonin not only reduce your mood, but they also reduce how you perceive and respond to stress, such as that at Christmas.

Try and remember that this is your time to enjoy too, not just everyone around you. Give yourself and your mental health a break with implementing a few self care tips to help you enjoy this Christmas more and feel a little bit less frazzled when its all over.

Remember it is about being with the ones you love, not grandiose meal plans or fancy gifts. 

Merry Christmas