3 Shifts to Minimise Stress this Festive Season

It’s undeniably a busy time of year. The end-of-year socials, recitals and performances. The Christmas and holiday preparations. The work projects and all those household projects you really want to complete. It’s a lot.

Here’s a small gift from ME to YOU. It’s?a short video message with my three top tips to help you sail through this season feel cool, calm, collected and connected!

And, if you’re so flat out you don’t even have 3 minutes to watch the clip, scroll on down – I’ve listed them below.

1. SHIFT THE GOAL POSTS

Often people put a huge amount of pressure on themselves to have everything wrapped up by Christmas. All the DIY projects, all the work projects, to get thank you cards and gifts out to e v e r y o n e.

We can add huge amounts of pressure and end up burning ourselves out.

Why not shift the goal posts and put some things on your January list or your February list rather than cramming it all into this month to meet an imaginary line in the sand?

Shift that line forward and give yourself breathing space to do things well.

2. SHIFT YOUR EXPECTATIONS

The higher your expectations are, the more likely they are not going to be met.

Now I am all for expecting others to treat you with respect. But the self-imposed expectations where you get a fixed idea in your mind about how you want it ‘should’ be – that can set you up for disappointment.

When you say “I hope the meat’s perfectly cooked… “I hope the weather’s fine… “I hope the traffic is good…, “I hope they get me that gift I’ve been hinting about.”

One practical tip is – rather than saying ‘I hope…” to switch it to?‘I wonder…”

• I wonder what the weather will be like?
• I wonder what the traffic will be like?
• I wonder what their gift will be?

This empowers you with flexible thinking to weather changing situations.

3. SHIFT YOUR FOCUS

Whatever you focus on increases.

The best way to switch out of work mode so you can fully recharge is to put the work stuff out of sight. Put your phone out of sight. Leave it behind for periods of time. Turn down the social media (doomscrolling and looking through other people’s highlight reels) and turn up meaningful moments where you connect heart to heart and eye to eye.

Make it your goal to be a great listener these holidays and see how it enriches your relationships.

• Have great conversations.?
• Savour the food.?
• Jump in the pool.?
• Play the game without the distractions.

It will take a bit to adjust – but your body, your mind and your soul with thank you for it.?

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful, stress-free, joy-filled Christmas!

If you want less stress and more joy, to achieve more and be more in 2025… get in touch this week and let’s figure out a plan!?

You can email me here or make a time to connect for a chat.