How to avoid seasonal stress
Christmas is typically one of the most stressful events of the year. The expense of buying gifts, the pressure of last minute shopping and the heightened expectations of family togetherness can all combine to undermine our best intentions. Here are some practical suggestions to help you reduce your 'Christmas stress'.
Budgeting for Christmas
For many of us, the Christmas aftermath includes massive credit card bills that can take months, or longer, to clear. Christmas 2008 with the current economic difficulties being felt by everyone in some way, does not have to be a financial headache if you plan realistically. The year ahead is not going to be an easy one and over committing the finances is one of the biggest sources of stress. That is not to say you can’t have fun & enjoy Christmas, moderation is the key & sometimes saying ‘NO, maybe next year’ is ok!
Stress reduction strategies include:
- Calculate how much disposable income you have between now and Christmas.
- See if any extra jobs or overtime is possible to boost the budget.
- See if anything can be sold to raise extra funds, what you no longer need may be just what someone else needs: e.g. kids outgrown toys/bikes. Local ads or eBay may help.
Presents
If you have a large circle of extended family or friends to buy gifts for, it can be very costly. You might be able to reduce the stress and cost of Christmas for everyone if you suggest a change in the way your family and friends give presents. For example, you could suggest that your group:
- Buy presents only for the children.
- Have a Kris Kringle, where everyone draws a name out of a hat and buys a present only for that person.
- Set a limit on the cost of presents.
Christmas shopping
Many of us dislike Christmas shopping, often coming home without a single purchase for our efforts. Stress reduction strategies for successful Christmas shopping include:
- 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.
- Buy a few extras, such as chocolates, just in case you forget somebody or you have unexpected guests bearing gifts.
- If possible, do your Christmas shopping early - in the first week of December. Some well-organised people do their Christmas shopping gradually over the course of the year, starting with the post-Christmas sales. Try this for next year!
- Buy your gifts by mail catalogue or over the Internet. Some companies will also gift-wrap and post your presents for a small additional fee.
The Christmas lunch (or dinner)
Stress reduction strategies include:
- If you are cooking lunch at home, delegate tasks. You don't need to do everything yourself.
- Consider keeping it simple - for instance, you could always arrange for a 'buffet' lunch, where everybody brings a platter.
- Buy as many non-perishable food items as you can in advance - supermarkets on Christmas Eve are generally extremely busy.
- You may need to order particular food items (such as turkeys) from your supermarket by a certain date. Check to avoid disappointment.
- Consider doing your food shopping online. The store will deliver your groceries to your door. (Keep in mind this option is more expensive than visiting the supermarket yourself.)
- Book well in advance if you plan to have lunch at a restaurant. Some restaurants may be fully booked for months before Christmas, so don't wait till the last minute.
Relationships
Stress, anxiety and depression are common during the festive season. If nothing else, reassure yourself that these feelings are normal. Stress reduction strategies include:
- Don't expect miracles. If you and certain family members bicker all year long, you can be sure there'll be tension at Christmas lunch. Offer soft drinks to help reduce the alcohol intake, especially if no-one has eaten much as excessive alcohol consumption is a prime cause of upset. Check in advance the menu will suit all & everyone’s favourite is catered for if possible. Simple good will gestures help to keep the tension down.
- Avoid known triggers. For example, if politics is a touchy subject in your family, don't talk about it. If someone brings up the topic, use distraction and quickly move onto something else to talk about.
- Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or focusing on your breathing to cope with anxiety or tension. 6-8 deep breaths over a minute using your abdomen not your chest will help to calm you down.
- Family members involved in after-lunch activities are less likely to get into arguments. Plan for something to do as a group after lunch if necessary, a walk, bike ride, treasure hunt or some good family games like charades or ‘who am I?’ – just plan it in advance. Organise the children too, try to keep to routines for tiny ones, maybe a new DVD for older ones to watch to have a calm hour or two.
- People under stress tend to 'self-medicate' with alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs. Try to remember that these can't solve problems nor will they alleviate stress in the long term.
The little extras
Other ways you might be able to reduce the stress include:
- Write up a Christmas card list and keep it in a safe place so that you can refer to it (and add or delete names) year after year.
- Plan to write your Christmas cards in early December. Book a date in your diary so you don't forget.
- Christmas cards with 'Card only' marked on the envelope can be posted at a reduced rate during November and December.
- Overseas mail at Christmas time takes longer to arrive. Arrange to send cards or presents in the first half of December, to avoid disappointments (and long queues at the post office).
- For great savings next year try to buy Christmas necessities (such as cards, wrapping paper, ribbons and decorations) at post-Christmas sales, keep this up each year for ongoing savings.
General health and wellbeing
Some other ways to keep your stress levels down include:
- Try to be moderate - it may be the season to be jolly, but too much food and alcohol is harmful, and drink driving is a real danger and illegal. If you can't (or don't want to) step off the social merry-go-round, at least try to eat and drink in moderation. Book a taxi or nominate a non-drinker to drive if needed.
- Get enough sleep - plan for as many early nights as you can when you can, tiredness decreases our tolerance and ability to cope.
- Keep moving - keeping up your regular exercise routine can give you the fitness and stamina to make it through the demands of the festive season. It is also an excellent stress buster if it all gets too much.
Things to remember
- Save a percentage of your disposable income throughout the year to provide a nest egg for Christmas expenses.
- Make a list of all the gifts you wish to buy and shop early.
- Don't expect miracles - if you and certain family members bicker all year long Christmas lunch is not likely to be any different so plan to do a few things that will break the pattern. Organise the seating with name places, have some background relaxing music playing, smile & take a few deep breaths.
- Plan some after Christmas treats for yourself & your family when all the visitors have left. Maybe a trip to a pantomime – never too old. Meet up with friends & just relax.
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