I trust this year I need Christmas more than ever and as I reach the final stretch of the year I could be more certain that I’m dreaming of a relaxed Christmas. ?
Everybody I know, young and old, is tired. In a perfect world we’d all be kicking off Christmas season with a full body massage before spending days with people who love us, and we love. Unfortunately the reality means some of us will be at work, a lot of us will have a million things left to prep and even more of us will have take care of someone who just feel unwell.
Knowing how important it is for us to really unwind, mind, body and soul I have put together some tips from our own experience and from experts to make sure you properly relax this Christmas season.?
1.Ignore work / Schedule a break.
To ensure you have schedule a break in advance, it’s essential to set parameter and stick to them. If you have to do some work over the break, may be an hour in the morning, so once it’s done you can forget about it. To ensure a conscious effort to not talking about work, talk about other things instead!
2. Engage with family.
Spending time with your family is not the same as engaging with them. A study carried out among single mothers found that the more time a parent spent playing with their child, the lower their levels of parental stress, and the more energized they felt as a parent.
3. Spend some time alone / Do something that makes you happy.
The festive period is, of course, a time for family and friends, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t also enjoy a little me-time. I trust, a little me-time can increase your creativity, your brain works at optimal efficiency. Expert found adding, rather than deleting me-time made her Christmas feel less hectic. If you like to have a body massage, do it. If you want to go for a choir section, do it….
4. Organize to-do list in advance.
Here is my to-do list:-
- Put activities on a calendar.
- Make a master gift list.
- Shop for cards and gift wrapping paper supplies.
- Start Christmas shopping in earnest including decors.
- Start addressing holiday cards.
- Mail cards.
- Buy a live tree.
- Decorate.
- Finalize menus.
- Buy fresh ingredients/ food.
- Prepare foods/ table.
- Relax and enjoy.
5. Be satisfied with “Good Enough”.
Expert said “Don’t always go for bigger and better!”. I believe it is one of the best tips for me.
6. Request free gift wrapping.
Stores don’t always publicize this service, so be sure to ask. Also seek out charity gift-wrapping services. Nonprofit organizations often set up booths at malls or craft shows and will wrap presents for a small fee. Take advantage of their services and you’ll save yourself one task while contributing to a worthy cause.
7. Don’t hesitate to ask help.
In fact, guests prefer to take on some small tasks, instead of standing around while you attempt to do everything yourself. Ask an older relative if he’d mind greeting guests at the door. Recruit teens to take coats or offer fruit juice. Kids may direct guests to the buffet table or offer hors d’oeuvres.
8. Use 30-minute rule.
We want our home to look great for guests, but don’t fall prey to holiday house fever. Expert said “Cross off anything on your household prep list that will take more than a half-hour to do. The goal is to spiff up the house a little, not turn it into a showroom.”
We can use what’s on hand. e.g. take the photos out of your everyday frames and replace them with leftover wrapping paper and free printables online. I’ve picked https://pixabay.com/images/search/christmas for you.
9. Shop online.
The shopping mall busier than ever and stressful shoppers fight for the perfect gift. So why not save yourself from the cold streets of England and shop online this year? Sit yourself next to the fire with a hot chocolate, and get everything done within a day. However, always check that they can deliver the goods on time before the big day.
Kathleen Natural is offering 30% off for any purchase £25 or more from 21th November. Use code: “Christmas2019” when you check out. Shop here https://www.kathleennatural.co.uk/shop/
10. Smell some lemons.
If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, try sniffing some lemon. The smell of the vitamin C-packed fruits has been shown to boost energy and alertness, and studies have revealed that lemon scents in particular can reduce stress and instantly boost your mood.You may like to grab our ? Citrus Cheer Bubble Bath and Shower Gel, and the Body and Massage Oil with the same scent here.