Embracing the Festive Spirit: Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas
Hey everyone It’s Hayley, can you believe it, this is my third Christmas with Pure West Radio, Health Minds, Better Lives show, with Tom Dyer and Tammy Foley. This December we Had Frank from Reframe join us for some money tips.
For many of us December has become a time for reflection and change but the festive season doesn’t always come alone. Christmas is meant to be a time for joy, family, and celebration. However, it can often be a source of stress, anxiety and family fall outs. In this blog postfollowing the show, we'll explore some tips to help you navigate the holiday season with ease and enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling Christmas.
Far too many of us are spending our Christmas making other people happy, compromising on our own wants and needs. Making other people happy is a conflict to your own wellbeing if you are the one compromising. It can be utterly exhausting, trying to appease family and friends, so here are some key tips to create the Christmas that you want and enjoy.
Managing Expectations
One of the biggest contributors to holiday stress is unrealistic expectations. Starting with knowing what type of Christmas you want, It's important to set realistic expectations for yourself and your family. Don't feel pressured to create a picture-perfect Christmas. Instead, focus on creating meaningful moments and spending quality time with loved ones.
Setting Boundaries
Don't be afraid to set boundaries. It's okay to say no to invitations, commitments and other people’s ideas of Christmas that you don't have the time or energy for. Remember, it's important to prioritise your own well-being. I love a good boundary, once they are set you can be flexible in how you implement them.
Practicing Self-Care
Self-care is essential during the holiday season. Make sure to take time for yourself to relax,recharge .and do things that make you happy. This could involve taking a bath, reading a book, or spending time in nature, being with just your nuclear or wider extended family if that is what makes you happy.
Mindful Spending
The financial pressures of the Christmas can be overwhelming. Create a budget and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases and focus on gifts that have meaning and value. Secret Santa can be your friend, you can reduce your budget but end up giving and receiving thoughtful gifts.
Embracing Imperfection
Do you strive for perfection? Perfect looks different it different people. My perfect is staying home with the kids Christmas day and we host family on Boxing Day Again an exhausting and thankless endeavour to create perfection. Embrace the imperfections of the festive period. Things won't always go as planned, and that's okay.
The Power of Presence
One of the best ways to enjoy Christmas is to be present in the moment creating memories. Put away your phone, turn off the TV, and focus on spending quality time with loved ones.
Make Memories for life
Play games, tell stories, use your imagination, etc. One of the Christmas memories my children talk about is from about 9 yrs ago playing the old game boy, girl, plant, place, car, etc and words that sound the same but aren’t the same. Now if you asked my children what they had that Christmas, they wouldn’t be able to tell you but these memories are for life.
By following these tips you can navigate the Christmas and the festive season with ease and enjoy a truly magical Christmas.
Embracing the Festive Spirit: Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas
Hey everyone It’s Hayley, can you believe it, this is my third Christmas with Pure West Radio, Health Minds, Better Lives show, with Tom Dyer and Tammy Foley. This December we Had Frank from Reframe join us for some money tips.
For many of us December has become a time for reflection and change but the festive season doesn’t always come alone. Christmas is meant to be a time for joy, family, and celebration. However, it can often be a source of stress, anxiety and family fall outs. In this blog postfollowing the show, we'll explore some tips to help you navigate the holiday season with ease and enjoy a peaceful and fulfilling Christmas.
Click to listen to the full show here https://www.youtube.com/live/CUbitQeNvjs?si=ufuchOKhGoaodkaB
Do you do Christmas your way?
Far too many of us are spending our Christmas making other people happy, compromising on our own wants and needs. Making other people happy is a conflict to your own wellbeing if you are the one compromising. It can be utterly exhausting, trying to appease family and friends, so here are some key tips to create the Christmas that you want and enjoy.
Managing Expectations
One of the biggest contributors to holiday stress is unrealistic expectations. Starting with knowing what type of Christmas you want, It's important to set realistic expectations for yourself and your family. Don't feel pressured to create a picture-perfect Christmas. Instead, focus on creating meaningful moments and spending quality time with loved ones.
Setting Boundaries
Don't be afraid to set boundaries. It's okay to say no to invitations, commitments and other people’s ideas of Christmas that you don't have the time or energy for. Remember, it's important to prioritise your own well-being. I love a good boundary, once they are set you can be flexible in how you implement them.
Practicing Self-Care
Self-care is essential during the holiday season. Make sure to take time for yourself to relax,recharge .and do things that make you happy. This could involve taking a bath, reading a book, or spending time in nature, being with just your nuclear or wider extended family if that is what makes you happy.
Mindful Spending
The financial pressures of the Christmas can be overwhelming. Create a budget and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases and focus on gifts that have meaning and value. Secret Santa can be your friend, you can reduce your budget but end up giving and receiving thoughtful gifts.
Embracing Imperfection
Do you strive for perfection? Perfect looks different it different people. My perfect is staying home with the kids Christmas day and we host family on Boxing Day Again an exhausting and thankless endeavour to create perfection. Embrace the imperfections of the festive period. Things won't always go as planned, and that's okay.
The Power of Presence
One of the best ways to enjoy Christmas is to be present in the moment creating memories. Put away your phone, turn off the TV, and focus on spending quality time with loved ones.
Make Memories for life
Play games, tell stories, use your imagination, etc. One of the Christmas memories my children talk about is from about 9 yrs ago playing the old game boy, girl, plant, place, car, etc and words that sound the same but aren’t the same. Now if you asked my children what they had that Christmas, they wouldn’t be able to tell you but these memories are for life.
By following these tips you can navigate the Christmas and the festive season with ease and enjoy a truly magical Christmas.
If you are looking for a Christmas Quiz, have a listen to Health Minds, Better Lives Chriistmas Quiz 2024, here is the link to play with your friends and family - https://www.youtube.com/live/iJY4sVLabs4?si=meRfIv9q_V-zrMWT