Many countries are getting ready for Christmas and New Years. This festive season is a big part of life and seems to consume so much time and energy. When we look at how this time affects our lives and therefore the activities that we participate in, it highlights a few important points. Read on…….
So, what should the festive season mean?
- Celebrations
- Happiness
- Rest and Relaxation
- Spending time with the people that we want/love/like
- The joy of gift giving
- Walking through the beautifully decorated areas on offer
In reality, what does the festive season mean to many?
- STRESS
- Trying to get work done so that you can participate in the festive activities and take time off for supposed rest and relaxation
- Shopping and lots of it
- Buying gifts for people that probably won’t like or want what you give them
- Receiving gifts that you may never use
- Spending money that you don’t have
- Organising parties/get together/drinks/celebrations
- Spending time with people that you may not want to
- Driving, travelling, driving, travelling
- No rest, no relaxation
- Drinking and eating things that you don’t normally and worrying about your weight, your health, your hangover
How do you survive the festive season? I would love to hear…
How can you survive the festive season?
- Put it into perspective… In light of what is happening in Syria, our lives are easy and the festive season does not need to be as stressful as it is.
- Make decisions that suit you and your family and don’t feel bad about it, it may mean catching up with people at a different time of year. It may mean upsetting some people, but if they are not only thinking of themselves they won’t be angry and will agree on a more convenient time.
- Don’t spend a fortune on gifts unless you know that the person wants it.
- Everyone chip in with the food and entertaining side i.e. everybody bring a plate or a drink, don’t just turn up and expect someone or 1 family to do all the entertaining, we all know people like this! And… Let people assist when they offer.
- Stop inviting yourself to peoples houses, if you want to catch up invite them to your place or at an agreed location
- Plan, be organised, write down who you need to visit, who you would like to visit, who you can’t see, but would like to catch up with at a later date, who you need to buy for, groceries, clothes, travel, you get the idea… PLAN…
- Moderation, remember the saying ‘everything in moderation, including moderation itself’. So if you overindulge don’t beat yourself or anyone else up about it. Moderate what you continue to eat and drink over the continuing festivities, if not resolve to the fact that you will address the excess as soon as you can.
- Stop judging others and yourself, no-one is better than anyone or has or is more.
- Make time for the rest and relaxation put it in the plan and organisation section it is very important to keep you sane.
So enjoy the silly season it will be fun and you will look back and laugh usually at the silly stressful situations.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
