How to avoid ‘mental overload’ this Christmas
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Each December, it arrives like clockwork.
No, not the warm weather. We’re talking about that mounting feeling of overwhelm.
Whether it’s stressing about hosting Christmas lunch, making travel plans, sourcing that perfect present, thinking up creative Elf on the Shelf ideas, scheduling social occasions, bracing for school holidays or just knocking off all your work tasks before the end of another busy year, December can be a stressful time for many.
So how can you reduce mental overload at this time of year? We speak to Time Trainer and Goal Strategist Christie Flora from Florandorder for her top tips to stay calm and carry on this Christmas.
Set boundaries
“Don’t double-book yourself or plan your appointments too close together,” says Christie. “Planning for unexpected delays will keep you calm and allow you to enjoy the current moment. Forget about multi-tasking for a while; simply enjoy the pleasure of each task you do.”
Don’t be afraid to say no
If you’re receiving a lot of requests from friends or family to catch up before Christmas and struggling to fit it all in, “it’s okay to say no,” says Christie.
“Saying no doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or direct. How about trying something like ‘That isn’t doable for me right now’ or ‘I appreciate you asking but I can’t.’ There are so many ways to spend our time, especially at this time of the year, and everyone is different. Before diving headfirst into the season, take into account your own energy levels and how much interaction you can handle per day or week. Let your involvement in activities be aligned with your goals, not by the open slots of your schedule.”
Focus on the important stuff
“Design your ideal Christmas, and think about what it looks like to you,” says Christie. “Ask the family and delete what doesn’t feel good.”
Rethink gifting
“If gift giving is definitely not your love language, it’s okay to take the focus off of gifts,” says Christie.
“Tell your family how you feel about it and see what other arrangements you can come up with. I’ve heard of other families who have completely forgone gifts all together and donate money to a local charity instead. I know a family who gives each member a book that they think that person would enjoy. It sets their holiday reading up every year and gives the family something to discuss.”
Delegate
“Delegating tasks such as buying or cooking to assist with household harmony saves money and time,” says Christie.
“Estimate how much time a task will take and make note of how long it actually took after the event—it’s great for the following holiday seasons. For Christmas lunch, don’t be afraid to put guests to work. Most will enjoy the tasks of setting the table or helping with food preparation. When guests ask if they can bring something, let them! Suggest specific items, though, to avoid duplication.”
Become shopping savvy
There’s nothing like a busy shopping centre in mid-December to really increase your stress levels. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make Christmas shopping more pleasant.
“Avoid lines by shopping earlier rather than later and on weekdays if possible,” says Christie. “The other option is to avoid lines altogether by online shopping or try click and collect so you can purchase in advance. When making a trip to the shops, group tasks by destination so you can tick them all off at once.”
Take note
“Keep a notepad and pen next to your bedside table or use a note-taking app to clear your mind of thoughts and tasks as they come up,” says Christie.
Plan ahead
“If you find two great gifts for someone on your list, purchase both and save one for their next birthday,” Christie says. “You’re already thinking about that person’s likes and personality, so capitalise on this and make it time well spent by killing two birds with one stone.”
