December can be a busy time of the year for many people. It can be a whirlwind of deadlines, parties, expenses and chaos to deal with. So how can you keep a grip and enjoy the build-up to the festive season?
For people who are working, you can spend more time doing extra work in order to get things finished so that you can enjoy the holiday period. For those with school aged children, there could be school plays, teacher training days, early break ups and extra childcare provision to think about.
Not forgetting the inevitable shopping for decorations, food and presents. All this coupled with your usual daily chores, additional social events and family gatherings.
Feeling Burnt-out
By the time the holiday break begins it’s quite possible that you could feel burnt-out; feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Some signs of being burnt-out include you: –
- suddenly develop a cold or flu-like symptoms
- feel physically and mentally lethargic
- are restless at night and wake up feeling tired
- feel emotional during work meetings and events
- make silly little mistakes at work and at home
- get easily frustrated.
Do you recognise any of these?
Start with the end in mind
To avoid burnout and to have a more relaxed December follow my simple plan. In the past, it’s got me through busy times and left me feeling relaxed enough to enjoy my break when it arrives.
- Make a list of all the things you feel need to be done. Then look at the list again and cross off the things that don’t need doing! Don’t over-promise to others or to yourself what you can do.
- Start early – in November list all the events that are important and you will be attending. Keep a few spaces for extra events you may be invited to and when they are full don’t accept any more. You don’t have to say yes to everything!
- If it’s easier for people to come to you, put a date in your diary and invite everyone around. That way you get to see them all in one go.
- Delegate – it’s not necessary for you to do everything. Involve others by asking for help and delegate some tasks.
- Short cuts – where can you make them? Can you buy some gifts online? Can some meals be made in advance and frozen? Can the food shopping be delivered? Think outside your usual box.
- Work commitments – manage the expectations of yourself and your work colleagues by letting them know when you will be available for meetings and deadlines etc.
So that it doesn’t feel like an overload of lots of things to do, it’s important to factor in time for yourself that helps you to enjoy the build-up to the break. Book onto a table decoration-making event; go shopping with a friend to enjoy the atmosphere, a coffee and a catch-up, book yourself a relaxing reiki or reflexology treatment.
Follow these simple rules and you will be setting yourself up for a relaxed, less stressed and enjoyable break over the upcoming holiday season.
About Sharon
Sharon lives with her partner, Geoff. in Warwickshire and they have two adult children. She worked for over 25 years in an office environment, gaining qualifications to degree level in finance, business and management. While there Sharon witnessed and experienced many stressful situations and suffered stress-related illnesses.
Sharon was advised to make some changes to her lifestyle which included trying complementary therapies. After experiencing the benefits of complementary treatments, Sharon decided to retrain and share her knowledge and experiences to help others recognise and manage their own physical and emotional stress and anxiety levels.
She has been working as a complementary therapist for over 15 years now and loves helping people manage and reduce their stress levels to feel uplifted, focused, positive and empowered about their lives.
