Last year we brought you two festive blogs to help you make the most of the period including saving tips and what to do over the holiday period. This year, we’ve decided it’s time for a little self-care.

We all know that the holiday period can be stressful. Not only do you need to figure out what to buy people but the prospect of spending days with one or more family is anxiety producing. People who have to jug children who are on holidays with work commitments, social engagements, and the heat, it’s enough to make any of us scream. So here is our festive blog series to help you get through this time with a little more sanity than previous years.

Meditation

This is the perfect time to start taking 5-10 minutes a day to truly breathe. The benefits of taking even a short break to focus on the one single essential element of life has many benefits. Mostly, it will allow you to better cope with the crowds of summer and family Christmas dinners.

By starting to get into the habit of meditation now, it will greatly increase the likelihood that you will continue when you really need it (like when you decide to do all your Christmas shopping on December 24) and give you the head space to not react. It’s also a great way to challenge children to be quiet for brief periods and it will help them cope with stress and anxiety, too.

Read for Pleasure

In this day and age where we are bombarded with information and the push to constantly be ahead of the game, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up that great book and give your brain a rest. This will not only refresh you for when you gear up for 2019 but reduce your stress, too. It might also be a great opportunity to investigate a new genre or author. Reading to children has also proven to be beneficial, too.

Digitally De-clutter

You know all those emails you haven’t filed or deleted? Yeah, it’s time. It doesn’t have to be done all at once, but it can be done over 15 minutes, three times a week. Also, unsubscribe to all those sales emails to sites you never visit, dramatically reducing the amount of emails you receive. Finally, read through all the saved articles on Facebook and un-save them when you are done. By doing these three things, you will reduce your visual clutter on your screens, making you feel productive and reducing your stress.

Be Prepared

By being prepared for the unexpected, it reduces the strain of the festive period and gives you peace of mind. For instance, Huffington Post came out with a brilliant article for 17 gift ideas for those surprise guests. It’s also good to keep a chilled champagne or white wine in the fridge as well as some cheese, biscuits, and cold meats on hand for those unexpected moments. It might also be a good idea to stock up on hydration sachets and pain medication for those mornings after or unexpected colds that can sneak up on you or your children during this time.

Step Away from Technology

Being present with your family, kids, colleagues, and friends is really important on a normal occasion but particularly during celebrations. However, this isn’t a happy time for everyone either. It’s tempting to constantly check social media and emails for updates on the world, but by putting the phones down, the computers away, and the TVs off for even an hour a day, it will not only allow you to actively engage with those around you but reduce the feelings of not being or doing enough.

If you are on your own over the period, getting out and walking is a great way to be occupied but unplugged. Day trips to rural and regional parts of your state are also a great way to explore and may even inspire some local property investment.

Whatever you do or whomever you are with this season, please remember to be kind to yourself. This can be a period of much joy and family as well as stress and loneliness. It’s important in times like these to take even the smallest moments and appreciate where you are.