HOW TO MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF

In the festive season, we have more plans than ever – Emma explains how to ensure you get enough rest to survive it!

The run-up to Christmas can be cripplingly tiring, and finding space to relax and recuperate may feel impossible. First, accept you deserve some downtime, too.

You might think setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier seems counterintuitive, but this provides a pocket of peace just for you.

Use the time to relax, practise mindfulness, or find a calming download to set you up for the day. Note all the events you have to attend on a calendar, then plan your time around them. Prioritise things you can’t get out of, and ditch less important events which you can politely decline. Seeing it written down allows you to see if your plans are realistic, and helps you feel organised. If the socialising leaves you jaded, practise the two-hour rule. Agree to attend, but set a time boundary of two hours.

Tell the host what time you need to leave so you don’t feel guilty about going home. If you love a drink – but hate the hangover – decide to only have alcohol on one occasion a week. You’ll feel more energetic, sleep better, and wake up fresh. Christmas is meant to be a period for connecting with your nearest and dearest. Prioritise your downtime around the people who matter most and discover the joy of delegation: assign every family member a task, from decorations, trips to the post office, to food shopping. Make space in the diary, too, for winter walks, hot chocolate while watching your favourite festive films, and chilling on the sofa. It’s a time for giving, so give yourself a break!