Christmas Goodwill Tips
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but also a time when stress levels peak. Here's some top tips to help make the season of goodwill joyful for all.
1. Surviving family friction
Christmas Day is a happy occasion for many, but for some it can deliver stress and anxiety. The pressure and expectation surrounding Christmas depicted in marketing and films are corrosive to our wellbeing.
Have realistic expectations - recalibrate your expectations to something more manageable "imperfect but enjoyable".
Plan and anticipate - a lot of us fall back into old family dynamics when we get together with relatives. Try to recognise that you can't change others but you can control your reactions. Politely leaving the table or diverting the conversation to a neutral topic, is a better way of diffusing the situation than becoming combative.
Seek joy - focus on finding pleasure and gratitude in small moments – the smell of the Christmas ham in the oven, or the blessing of a few days off work. Shift your attention away from the things that are bothering you to "positive or neutral stimuli".
2. Keep things casual
Get your immediate family to help out in the kitchen on Christmas morning, and in the afternoon, get the extended family involved in a game or head to the beach and soak up some Vitamin D.
Whether it's a barbecue or the full works, go as big or small as you want. What you cook doesn't have to be expensive but it's crucial to plan ahead. If you are the cook, don't leave yourself with a massive job list on the day - nothing will get your temper short like leaving yourself too much to do – get everyone involved.
And remember, the day doesn't have to be extravagant, a loving environment where everyone feels welcome is more important.
3. Don't shop till you drop
Before you hit the mall, have a family discussion about the total money available for Christmas celebrations and invite ideas from everyone on how best to stay within the budget. Christmas is about family and "aroha", not gifts. If you want to shop, consider doing Secret Santa, which will reduce cost or consider handmade gifts and vouchers that can be used in the Boxing Day sales.
Suggest everyone bring a plate on Christmas Day to share the cost of putting on a big feast. If, for some reason, you need to use your credit card to buy presents (as a last-resort option) prepare a repayment plan before you charge anything to it to make sure the $100 gift does not end up costing you a lot more than that.
Make sure you don't get carried away in rewarding yourself and your loved ones by overspending. To have some savings for future has never been more important and relevant than this year.
4. Get some shuteye
The truth about Christmas holidays is that they can be exhausting with all that visiting, entertaining and travelling.
Good sleep can help us manage emotional reactions, so recognise sleep as an important part of your health routine and prioritise it. Remember that your emotional reactions are not just based on external things like whose house you have to visit, but also your brain's ability to correctly judge the situation. Good sleep makes you a better judge.
5. Be content with "good enough"
If all your friends are off on exciting holidays but you're stuck working, don't despair, you can still enjoy your summer.
After work or on the weekends, be a tourist in your own town. Make a list of the awesome things in your own hometown and get out there.
Plan evening barbecues and picnics, or seek out some serenity with an after-work swim or a leisurely drive.
At night time, take a stroll through your neighbourhood to view the Christmas lights. Give yourself a break, and if you can't shake the blues, seek professional help.