Make sure you leave room for days to relax and look after yourself.
The run up to Christmas is nothing short of mad with the visiting, shopping, managing the kid’s appointments and events as well as the work parties and general shenanigans! There are lots of things to do and you would be forgiven for feeling a little bit stressed trying to manage everything. It is easy to forget to look after yourself.
With so much to do it is easy to fail to look after yourself and not take the time to rest and enjoy not only the run up to Christmas but the day itself. Here are some tips on how to look after yourself in the run up to Christmas:
Be organised
If you are as organised as possible you may not cause yourself a load of
anguish later on. Write the lists, plan the events and talk to the kids too so they understand what is going on instead of throwing stuff on them at the last minute. Start as early as possible so you can be prepared for the busy days but make sure you leave room for days to relax or at least spend an evening at home relaxing.
Be careful of burning yourself out and if you are making the Christmas dinner try and see if anyone can help or start preparing now for it by cooking the starter soup and freezing it for the day. You may be able to prepare the dessert too and if you are overly busy just buy a dessert or a soup to make life easier and don’t feel guilty for it.
Ask for help
One of the hardest things to do is to ask for help but at Christmas, it is
important as everyone is overscheduled, but everyone can help each other too. Ask a friend or family member to mind the kids while you buy last-minute gifts or have time to relax or bake that technical dessert you have been planning to for weeks. Repay them the favour on other days so you can all be there for each other without losing the run of yourself.
Christmas
Accept the madness
It is important to know that most households are chaotic over Christmas and this is one of the best things about the festive season. Accept that the house will be filled with wrapping paper and look less than pretty during the season, but it is full of love and heart. Yes, the kids will argue, and you and your partner may have moments of madness but then you’ll get it together and know that you love each other. Don’t try and fix the madness and embrace it so you can enjoy the holidays without putting too much pressure on yourself.
Take breaks
It is hard to take the break before Christmas but once the day is over and
things have settled down there must be a time when you put yourself first. The kids will happily be playing with their new items and this gives you a chance to not feel guilty about heading off on your own for a while. The kids may be hassling you to play with them and spend time with them but then don’t feel guilty for needing time alone either.
Christmas can be suffocating with little time to rest so put yourself on the top of the priorities and you’ll be a happier person over the festive period.
