It's the most wonderful time of the year... but it can be the most stressful period too. With demands on your time, money and patience, it's easy to get lost in the stress of the festive season and miss out on those things that really matter. To help you make it through Christmas with flying colours, we've paired up with Alka-Seltzer to bring you some top tips to make sure Christmas stress is minimised in your home this year.
1. Be prepared
The more preparing you can do in advance, the better. If you are relaxed and stressed the chances are that everyone else will be too. If you’ve got a home full of people enjoying themselves, you’ll have a good time even if the turkey doesn’t defrost, or brussel sprouts are soggy.
2. Prune your action list
Cull your list of chores and ensure that only essential actions make it on to your list.
3. Share the Christmas workload
‘Don’t think it’s a failure to delegate tasks to family and friends. Give people something to do. Not only will it help you it will also make them feel useful and more relaxed too.
4. Cut your gift list
Rein in the present buying. Limit gifts to children only, draw names, or organize a gift exchange.
5. Set budget for gifts
Set an upper limit to spend on each person including wrapping and delivery costs. Don’t let the budget spiral out of control. If you plan early there are bargains to be had.
6. Focus on the free stuff
Concentrate on the free pleasures of Christmas – making memories and having fun with your children.
7. Indigestion making someone disagreeable?
Keep meals to a manageable size. Heartburn and indigestion from excessive eating doesn’t make for a happy day. Unfortunately our eating habits at Christmas and large fatty meals can take their toll.
9. Take time for you!
Take time for yourself. Have a mini break from routine to read, take a walk, snooze or simply take a relaxing bath.
10 Make it fun not perfect
‘A lot of people, women especially, try to get everything absolutely right when they’re under stress. Ease off the perfectionism. Spending time with people and having quality time with them is what’s going to make a good Christmas, and that’s what people will remember.
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