IT’S the most wonderful time of the year. But Christmas can, for many of us, also be one of the most stressful and exhausting times of the year, writes Sarah Markham of Calm In A Box.
Finding balance in the run-up to Christmas is essential to make sure that you’re still sparkling come December 25.
Here are some tips that may help:
Understanding the difference between pleasure v enjoyment/meaning is key. Pleasure is all about the immediate return, where we’re feeling good. So, for example, when we’re pampering ourselves or enjoying a pre-Christmas glass of fizz with friends, we’ll get an instant dopamine hit – dopamine is known as the feel-good’ hormone that gives you feelings of satisfaction, pleasure and motivation.
It’s an immediate reward and makes our brain feel good in the short term.
It’s important to balance this with the idea of enjoyment and meaning, which is the intrinsic reward; it’s much more purposeful and while it doesn’t necessarily give us the immediate hit, you need to understand the long-term gain.
This does mean, though, that things may feel quite tough at times – but keep on going!
In mid-life, we tend to pursue activities that are more significant to us, so we seek that intrinsic enjoyment rather that that extrinsic pleasure.
Remember this when you’re stressed about having to buy presents for loved ones and you’re running around like a crazy thing; one of the most meaningful things in anyone’s lives it to tend to their family and children as it gives back peace and makes you feel good, so the reward it well worth the stress!
Managing your time is essential.
Just where does the time go?! I’m sure that there are plenty of us who wish we had more hours in the day and, over Christmas, time does seem to be limited.
My advice would be to be clear on what is purposeful and meaningful to you, and making sure that you allocate quality time to those things. It might not be pleasurable in the short term, having to say no to certain things, but it will give you those intrinsic sense of fulfilment and towards pleasure in the long term.
Figure out what your non-negotiable routines and traditions are; how can you make sure you structure those in without putting too much pressure on yourself? And remember that those happy pictures of families enjoying a festive day out that you see on Instagram aren’t always all they seem…don’t compare yourself!
One final tip… start planning now for the new year instead of trying to cram everything in between now and Christmas.
That way, you’ll have the time and space to work more efficiently when we all return to a ‘normal’ routine in the new year.
This story shared on behalf of Calm in a Box by Kerry Ganly. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch
