Shopping is one big problem, as getting crushed in the crowds at a local shopping centre trying to work out what on earth your brother actually likes and whether your mum needs yet another vase is no one\’s idea of fun. Then cooking can be a nightmare, because for some reason having 18 vegetable sides seems absolutely vital on Christmas day and the temperature of the kitchen rises to around 180 degrees with every hob and oven turned on full blast. Rushing to awkward office parties, endless hangovers, sleepless kids – it can all cause strain, so what\’s the answer to making Christmas less stressful?

Manage Your Expectations

You don\’t have to be under ten to get overexcited about Christmas, and whether it\’s a pledge to do ALL the cooking for your entire family, buy the best presents ever that everyone will absolutely love, or throw the most exciting Christmas party ever, sometimes you have to manage your expectations. Thinking that everything has to be perfect is the first step towards burying yourself under mounds of Christmas stress, and as other things in life it\’s probably best to let yourself go with the flow a little than micro-manage everything in order to meet an unattainable vision.

Get Out and Do Something Different

It\’s easy to get caught up in Christmas panic, especially if you have hundreds of social engagements and need to visit lots of family members. And while all the Christmas overindulgence is fun, after your fourth hangover it can start to feel like a bit of a drag. So shaking up the routine a bit and doing something a little different can really help. Go for an evening walk rather than heading to the pub, use a bit of your Christmas leave to complete a project, skip the bulk of present shopping and bake cookies instead to give to people – whatever takes you out of Christmas madness.

Stop Stressful Thinking – Keep a Sense of Perspective

As anyone who has ever worked in retail can attest, the festive period can make people loose perspective. Some years ago on the 23rd of December a member our team was working in the fruit and veg section of a major supermarket and had a flustered woman run up and simply shouted \”Sprouts!!!\” in clear terror. It\’s a small thing, but quite indicative of the downside of the season – in that moment, getting sprouts for Christmas seemed extremely important, when in more sensible moments it\’s easy to see that it\’s not. Keeping a clear head (always much easier with meditation) could save a lot of strife, especially where sprouts are concerned. It\’s not like there won\’t be a gazillion other more delicious things to eat that day.

Have a Nod to Good Health

Christmas is all about letting go of the normal rules (the kind that discourage you eating an entire tub of Quality Street) and enjoying yourself, and there\’s nothing wrong with spending a few days rediscovering Baileys and eating everything in sight. However, if you want to feel a little better, small concessions to your liver and digestion system could go a long way. Maybe one day have some fruit for breakfast before feasting later, or go for a run if you are feeling sullied. Even just gritting your teeth and having a cold shower can make you feel a million times better afterwards. You don\’t have to give up on the fun completely, you can feel less stressed and strung out just by doing the tiniest healthy things.