November 2nd, 2018 by Chris Chapman

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… but it’s also one of the most stressful! Christmas is supposed to be merry, but the cold weather, constant sniffles and illnesses, and, of course, the endless shopping can all take their toll. If you find yourself getting stressed around the holiday season, don’t worry – just read these simple tips and focus on what really matters to you this Christmas.

Do Your Shopping Early

Get your Christmas shopping done as early as you can to avoid any stress later onbi We know, everyone always says they want to get their Christmas shopping done early, but actually committing to going out and doing it is another matter! Don’t be shy about starting your Christmas shopping in early November – this will help you get the bulk of it out of the way before things start to go mad after Black Friday (which is at the end of November). Planning out your shopping early will also help you budget over the festive season. This should leave you with some money left over for festive food and drinks, treats, and Christmas trips with the family. The last thing you want is to be trawling the high streets looking for last-minute gifts that may or may not be in stock anywhere, so make sure you get your shopping done (online if possible) while it’s relatively quiet.

Reduce Your Heating Bills

Heating bills are one of the biggest worries we have in winter, so take some steps to reduce them For many of us, Christmas can stretch the budget very thin. Not only do you have all your presents to buy, but the cold weather means that you’ll be spending a lot on heating costs, too. It makes sense to reduce your heating costs as much as possible through the winter so you’ve got some breathing room at Christmas time. This doesn’t mean you have to be freezing cold, though – there are lots of ways you can keep cosy while also reducing heating costs. Electric blankets, for example, can keep you warm in bed for as little as 1p per night, and thanks to modern technology they usually come fitted with thermostats, timers, and more to help you get the most out of them. Modern electric heaters are similarly energy-efficient – if your heating costs are causing you concern, investing in an energy-saving upgrade could be worth your while this winter.

Be Hygienic

Christmas brings with it cold weather, so watch out for bugs There always seems to be a lot of bugs going around at Christmas time. This is because we tend to spend more time indoors and huddled close together in winter, so germs can spread more easily. Catching a cold isn’t usually a big deal, but if you feel run down during the busy Christmas season, it can make everything seem much more stressful. You can combat this by putting a little extra time into your cleaning over winter. Make sure your hard surfaces are regularly wiped down with anti-bacterial spray or wipes, and be extra-diligent about washing your hands. This should help you keep the colds away, meaning you won’t be feeling run down over Christmas!

Take Time to Yourself

Don't forget to look after number one at Christmas, too! Christmas is a time for family, but don’t forget to set aside some ‘you’ time too! Take some time at the end of the day to decompress and process your thoughts. You can just lie back and think, take a hot shower, read, draw, watch a relaxing video – anything that helps you relax and take your mind away from the stresses of the day. It’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed at Christmas time, so taking a bit of time away from it all, even for just a few minutes, is really important.

Make Sure You Sleep Properly

If only Christmas morning was ever this peaceful with kids in the house! Christmas is a rough time for your sleep schedule, especially if you have children! At Christmastime, everything we do to maintain a healthy sleep schedule seems to go out of the window. We eat rich food and drink more alcohol, and we’re so busy socialising and visiting friends and family that there isn’t much time left to exercise. And, of course, no Christmas is complete without excited kids waking you up at 4am to see what Santa brought! With everything that’s going on and everything that’ll be on your mind during the festive season, it’s easy to fall out of a healthy sleep schedule. This can have a knock-on effect, as being tired will make you more stressed about sleep, which makes it even harder to sleep! Christmas doesn’t have to be a vicious cycle of stress and sleepless nights. Try and get up around the same time every day, even if you’ve had a late night the previous evening, so you stay in a healthy sleep schedule. You should also try and make some time to exercise during the day, which will help your body feel ready for bed in the evening. It can be tricky, but with a bit of planning and good calendar management, you can do it! We wrote a guide on getting a better night’s sleep which you might find useful, so be sure to check that out too.