The 12 pains of Christmas
From endless wrapping to feuding relatives, the festive season can be stressful. ELIZABETH ARCHER asks the experts how best to have a cool yule
12 MINI MELTDOWNS
Whether it’s you or one of your family having a meltdown, tensions can run high during the holidays. Don’t forget to take time out for yourself to restore a little peace and goodwill.
Aromatherapist Kathy Webb says: “Giving yourself 10 minutes each day to recharge can really help. Close your eyes and take a deep, slow breath through your nostrils, right down into your stomach. Hold for a few seconds, then breathe out slowly through your mouth. As you exhale, imagine all your negative feelings are being pushed out.”
11 FESTIVE FLARE-UPS
While we may all be hoping for a white Christmas the combination of cold weather and over-indulging on booze and food can leave skin looking dry and blotchy.
“The Christmas period can really take its toll on your complexion,” says skin expert Dr Jules Nabet. “To combat this ensure you use a serum or a moisturiser that’s extra-rich. A good trick is to use a night cream during the day. They tend to be thicker than day creams and are usually oil-based, helping skin lock in hydration.”
10 HOURS OF SHOPPING
Scouring the shops for the perfect present can be time-consuming. A survey by gift card company One4All revealed that Britons spend more than 10 hours shopping for Christmas gifts and that more than seven million of us will leave our shopping until Christmas Eve.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “Delegating is a much easier way of getting multiple things done than trying to multitask,” says life coach Nimisha Brahmbhatt. “Whether it’s shopping online rather than driving to the shops, or asking your partner to take care of present-buying for their side of the family, you can avoid a lot of stress.”
NINE MILLION METRES OF WRAPPING
It’s not just buying presents that can leave you feeling frazzled. It’s estimated we use approximately nine million metres of wrapping paper in Britain each year. Instead of leaving wrapping till Christmas Eve why not get it out of the way?
“I often advise my clients to start with the most time-consuming task first when they’re feeling overwhelmed,” says Nimisha. “Leaving the most difficult thing till last is often a cause of unnecessary stress so why not get tricky tasks such as wrapping presents out of the way before Christmas Eve to avoid stress later?”
EIGHT HUNDRED POUNDS
Christmas is a time of excess and this year it’s predicted the average British family will spend £821.25 on food, drink, presents and decorations, according to research by Voucher Codes and the Centre for Retail Research.
But money expert Rob Moore says there are ways to save: “Don’t be afraid to buy second-hand presents from charity shops or websites such as eBay. You could give handmade presents or offer to babysit for friends and make a special voucher that entitles them to a romantic night out.”
SEVEN HOURS OF COOKING
From turkey and cranberry sauce to mince pies and pudding, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a delicious spread. And the average Brit will spend seven hours in the kitchen preparing their festive feast. “The best way to avoid stress at Christmas is to be prepared. Work out how many people you’re cooking for, what they will and won’t eat and what your budget is – and then plan your grocery shopping,” says Neil Nugent, head chef at Iceland.
SIX THOUSAND CALORIES
Research shows that most of us will have already consumed our recommended daily amount of calories by the time we sit down for Christmas lunch after spending the morning eating chocolate and crisps. And there’s a good chance we will have scoffed 6,000 calories by the end of the day.
Nutritional therapist Fleur Brown says: “It’s important to enjoy Christmas but, to avoid the bloat, snack on nuts or dried fruit such as apricots, figs or prunes rather than sweet treats.
“If you do have chocolate choose high-quality dark chocolate, which is less sugary.”
FIVE FAMILY FEUDS
Christmas may be a time for peace and goodwill but spending too much time crammed into one house doesn’t always lead to happy families. In fact the average family will have five arguments on Christmas Day, according to a study by Travelodge.
“This time of year can bring all sorts of difficult emotions to the surface,” says mindfulness coach John Lingley. “Try to identify these emotions instead of ignoring them. Is your mother-in-law interfering again? Or is your dad being overbearing? Say to yourself, ‘I feel a sense of anger,’ or ‘I can sense irritation.’ This will help stop difficult emotions from going unchecked and a heated argument escalating.”
FOUR HOURS OF DRIVING
Driving home for Christmas is always stressful, especially as the roads are often busier than usual. People spend an average of four hours driving on Christmas Day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed remember to take it slow.
“The key to a merry Christmas is not to overschedule,” says Dr Hayley van Zwanenberg, consultant psychiatrist at the Priory. “Tear up the timetable for the festive fortnight and take a break from your regular commitments. Don’t try to be everywhere at once as you’ll end up feeling rushed.”
THREE HOURS LESS SLEEP
We lose up to three hours’ sleep each night during the Christmas holidays due to late-night partying, hosting guests and sleeping on the sofa, according to a survey by mattress-maker Casper. This could leave you feeling frazzled by the time the big day arrives.
“Lack of sleep can cause stress and stress can cause trouble sleeping, which can be a vicious circle,” says Harley Street GP Dr Rupert Critchley. “Ensure good-quality sleep throughout the festive period by leaving phones and tablets outside the bedroom and maintaining a regular sleep pattern.”
TWO UNWANTED PRESENTS
Online marketplace eBay estimates that Britons received 115 million unwanted Christmas presents last year – that’s two for every adult in the UK.
“Focus on the kindness and good intentions rather than the present itself,” says psychologist Professor Karen Pine. “Repeat to yourself, ‘It is the thought that counts.’ This will help to override any disappointment and prevent it being obvious to the person who gave it to you.”
AND ONE TOO MANY GLASSES OF FIZZ
With all the stress of the festive period it’s tempting to sink into the sofa with a large drink and wait until it all blows over. But while there’s nothing wrong with the occasional tipple, moderation is key, even at Christmas.
“Sip a glass of water while drinking alcohol to ensure you stay hydrated,” says Fleur. “To slow down the glucose rush from the alcohol, never drink on an empty stomach.
“Eat a large handful of unsalted nuts, a piece of cheese or some olives before having an alcoholic drink.”