Staying serene during party season

Time spent with friends and family, exchanging thoughtful gifts and eating delicious festive food are just some of the reasons we love Christmas here at Therapy Directory. That being said, we recognise the stresses that come along with the festive season.

Relationships can become strained, money (or lack thereof) may cause problems and the sudden influx of social invites can feel overwhelming. It’s perhaps unsurprising then that Christmas can often be the most stressful time of year.

To help you stay serene, calm and in control (so you can actually ENJOY Christmas), we’ve put together a few helpful tips:

Don’t overbook yourself

During Christmas social invitations come flying from all angles, leaving us with too much to do and not enough time to do it in. Aim to be realistic with your time this year and learn to say no. If you can’t make a certain party due to other more pressing commitments, simply explain this and schedule a catch-up in the New Year instead.

Get some quiet time in

If you’re introverted or struggle to keep your energy levels up after a lot of socialising, be sure to schedule in some quiet time. Have an evening where you stay in and look after yourself – read a book, write in a journal or simply kick back with a boxset. This will help you reserve your energy so you feel more social when you do attend parties.

Take time to be grateful

When your to-do list is growing and you feel under pressure, take five minutes to step back and think about what you’re grateful for. What (or who) do you have in your life that you’re thankful for? This helps you gain a little perspective and develop a positive mindset.

Avoid overindulging… too much

We know, Christmas is the season of overindulgence! But if you eat lots of rich foods and over-do it on the alcohol front, chances are you won’t feel too energetic. Try to maintain a sense of balance and, when you do indulge, do so mindfully and enjoy every bite (or sip!).

Embrace the festivity

Our final tip is to simply embrace the festivity! Head outside for some winter walks, have a family day decorating the house and get cosy with a tasty cup of chai tea.

Remember, Christmas can amplify emotions and make situations feel worse than they are. Try taking a step back from time to time and think about how you’ll feel about the situation in a year’s time – will it matter?

We hope this helps and wish you all a very merry Christmas!