Topic Tuesday // LIVE NOW! // Surviving the festive season overwhelm

[Shaz51]

hi Eagle                     same here because sometimes i can`t ring mum if she is not home and my husband and i work together everyday so i can`t make a coffee when we are out working , but i will make sure i will have one as soon as i can

[NikNik]

That's awesome guys!

I am going to check in with you all mid December to see if you're keeping to your plan 🙂

@Eagle, visualisation can be a powerful tool! I do hope you find some time to get to the beach though too.

So to wrap up  - thank you all for sharing tonight. Christmas IS a really full on time of year, so please be kind to yourself if that stress does creep up on you.

Here are some quick tips that those who are reading this after the session is closed, might find helpful:

• Remember your boundaries
• Be prepared: set a budget, check your finances
• Write a Christmas list
• Have a day for yourself before the big day (don’t tell anyone it’s your day!)
• Giving to others “community spirit” and give in the way YOU want to
• Budgeting with food, e.g. using leftovers or using up food from your freezer
• Work out a plan leading up to the event if you tend to experience anxiety or panic. Think of a support person you can go to for support or practice mindfulness/breathing techniques.
• Keep a routine – alot of stress and anxiety comes from the disruption of routine, so try and keep some routine where you can
• Don’t make Christmas the be all and end all. Do the things you always enjoy, like walking or going to the cinema.
• Give back to others - There’s a huge feeling of satisfaction from volunteering and many charities and organisations need help at Christmas.
• Keep up the  exercise – Again, the lack of routine this time of year can mean you stop your regular exercise
• Phone a friend – talk to people who care, even if you can’t be with them at Christmas. And remember, there are many charities who arrange get togethers at Christmas so you don’t have to be alone.
• Delegate – friends and family like being useful and often don’t know how to help – take the leap in asking for assistance (ie: can you pick up xyz from the store, can you stay with xyz while I take some time to get some things done)

(Reference: MindHealthConnect, SANE Australia and Helpguide.org)

Any more times you guys would like to add?

[Albertine]

I love the contact by cards or letters from friends and family overseas, but the season brings different emotions, some good some not so good, and I have to try hard to keep the stress under control.

[NikNik]

Hi @Albertine

There are definately some lovely things about this time of year - hand written cards are my favourite. I enjoy sending them too.

What do you find helps to keep the stress under control?

[coffeegirl]

Great tips Nik - I should print them and put them somewhere I will read over them often. Some important points in there - especially about keeping as much routine as possible. Routine is important to me and I never really thought about trying to keep it in tact for this time of year 🙂

Thanks @Eagle @Shaz51 @Former-Member and anyone I missed, for sharing tonight. I like our little get togethers 🙂

[NikNik]

No worries coffeegirl

Thanks everyone for getting involved tonight.

We are going to keep this discussion open and move it into 'Looking After Ourselves' and hopefully in the lead up to Christmas we will have a library full of tips and strategies that we can all use 🙂

So keep the conversation going 🙂

[NikNik]

I heard my first christmas carol in the shopping centre yesterday and my stomach flipped... 1/2 because I love christmas and 1/2 because I have SO MUCH TO DO.

How is everyone going now that we're getting closer to Christmas?

[Former-Member]

Hi @NikNik

Yes I love Christmas too and as I am hosting on Christmas day I need to work out a menu.

I am trying to think of something different. If anyone has any ideas on alternatives to the regular Christmas fare I would be very appreciative.

cheers.

[NikNik]

Hi @Former-Member

I'm not much of a chef, so I try and keep it easy. This isn't really a meal as such - but some nibblies.. I do them ever year - they are so easy!

Read more here

I find Pintrest a GREAT place to get inspiration. Have you used it before?