Practice Self-care this Christmas
Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the busiest, most stressful and most expensive time of the year. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of the season and find yourself overwhelmed and too tired to enjoy the most important moments. With only a couple of weeks to go until the big day, put a self-care plan in place so that you can truly enjoy the beauty of the season with the people you love.
Routine
As much as possible, help your family keep a normal routine. Stick to your regular sleep patterns and exercise routine. Whenever you can, keep your usual mealtimes and the general pattern of your day. This will also help the kids (and you) cope with all the extra things that are going on.
2. Plan
I’m much less stressed when I have a plan.
Make a list of the people you have to buy gifts for with ideas for each one, including the cost.
Plan your Christmas menu, and note who you can ask to contribute items and what you can prepare the day before or buy pre-made from the store. Again, include the cost of your menu items.
Plan your calendar, making sure that you have events spread out with sufficient recovery time planned.
Plan your Christmas Day so you know when you have to leave for Church, when the roast needs to go in the oven, and when the preparations need to be ready for guests. Make sure there is enough time not to be rushed. It's hard to have fun when you're in a hurry.
3. Energy
Manage your energy carefully. Christmas tends to have a lot of extra pressures and expectations, and these are all costly. For me, a Christmas party with my husband's work colleagues is a fun night but exhausting, as small talk with strangers is hard work for this introvert! So, I planned some quiet time before and after the event.
I also find shopping tiring. I try to use internet shopping or the click-and-collect option at our local grocery store rather than fight the shopping centre car park and the cranky crowds.
I am also very aware of the number of evening commitments I make. After three nights out in one week, it starts to take a physical toll on me. Sometimes I say no to invitations so that I can be my best for the things I say yes to.
If you would like to read more about how to manage energy, you will enjoy this post, Running on Empty, which includes a free energy inventory worksheet.
4. Go deep instead of wide
Let me explain. Rather than fitting in all the things, choose one or two and do them well.
Rather than decorating the whole house with all the shiny things you own, focus on a beautiful tree or mantle and keep other elements simple.
Rather than having a feast with several meat choices and a wide variety of side dishes, choose one hero meat dish and choose two or three simple yet delicious sides to complement it.
Rather than going to every community carols event in the vicinity, choose one to attend and make it a special occasion.
Rather than buying gifts for everyone you know and multiple gifts for each of your children, focus on the people closest to you and give one meaningful gift from your heart.
5. Parties
I love a good Christmas party, and the food is always a highlight of the holiday season, but indulging in rich and sweet foods I don’t usually eat can leave me feeling less than my best the next day, not to mention the unwanted pounds that need to be worked off in the new year.
Over the Christmas season, enjoy the special food and drinks, but don’t over-indulge. Eat small quantities of foods you love, and politely decline the third helping of dessert. Put effort into keeping your meals at home simple and healthy during the season, including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water, and your body will thank you in January.
6. Expectations
Don’t expect things to be perfect. Don't expect people who usually argue to be best friends this year. Don't expect the children to behave perfectly. Expect everyone to be normal, and hopefully, you will be pleasantly surprised.
7. People
One of the greatest joys and greatest stresses of Christmas is spending time with family and friends you don’t always see through the year. It is great when everyone gets along, but it can be challenging when there are conflicts and personality clashes. Walking on relational eggshells is exhausting!
There are some relationships that are just hard work. It doesn't mean these people are bad or you love them any less, but after spending time with them, you feel more drained than you did before. Other people fill your cup and leave you feeling more encouraged and energised.
We need to manage our relational energy through the Christmas season. Sometimes you can spend time with people before or after Christmas rather than having a big crowd all on the same day. You may need to have a beginning and end time for your celebration. Or, you may need to plan relational recovery time after your event so that you can recharge quickly. Often just being aware of how I am feeling and having a strategy in place can make a big difference to my stress on the day.
8. Delegate
Don’t do Christmas alone. If you have a family, delegate responsibilities to each of them. If you are hosting, put a list of cleaning jobs on the fridge and make a plan to get through it together. If people are coming over, ask them to bring something to contribute to the meal.
When guests arrive at my place, they often ask, “Is there anything I can do to help?” My usual response is, “No, I’m fine. You sit down and enjoy yourself.” Not this year! I will plan a list of tasks people can help with, write it in big letters, and share my kitchen and my table.
9. Moments of retreat
Plan a mini-retreat each day leading up to Christmas. Set aside an hour or two, put on your favourite Christmas music, make a drink, and relax on the couch. Make these special moments for you and your family. Take time to read the Christmas story in the Bible. Look through old photo albums and remember Christmases past. Sing carols with your children. Just look at your tree and admire the beautiful decorations and the memories they represent; slow down and allow yourself to take it all in. Practice stillness and invite peace and joy into your home and your heart.
