Tips For A Stress Free Christmas / Holiday Season

Talking with friends and family not everyone finds the Christmas/Holiday Season easy, many can and do get stressed. Cooking a delicious meal for guests doesn't always come easy. Then you may have friends and family, relatives that don’t always see eye to eye.

If you can get through the holiday season relatively stress-free, then you’ve done a wonderful job, but if you are someone who is prone to stress easily, don’t worry, here are six tips that could help make your Christmas / Holiday Season that little bit easier.

1. Plan Your Menu In Advance
Just like meal prep, planning your Christmas / Holiday menu well in advance takes a massive weight off your shoulders. 

2. Prepare Food Ahead Of Time
Where you can, start preparing your delicious dishes ahead of time. It will make your day go smoothly when you’re not whipping up a last-minute cranberry sauce at the 11th hour. That way when the guests arrive you can just whip out your food and enjoy it with everyone.

3. Allow Yourself Time To Rest
Rest is the antidote to stress. It often feels like when there’s a lot on your plate, rest is the last thing that will help you get the job done. But the opposite is actually true. Taking time to rest, focus, get a good night’s sleep, and time for yourself is important.

4. Practice Conscious Breathwork
This can come in the form of meditation, or something as simple as taking a relaxing, mindful breath in times of pressure. If you burn your turkey/main dish, (or like me one year drop it on the floor) then take a deep breath and then respond. This simple, mindful practice encourages the body to switch on the rest and digest system, alleviating stress from the body.

5. Agree To Disagree
We all know how family get-togethers can sometimes be awkward. You may have a family member say something that you believe is out of line, other times, you might find yourself disagreeing with their point of view. There is a lot of tension in the world right now, and learning to appreciate those who have a different point of view is a lifelong skill. But to remove the stress from the day, agreeing to disagree is often a good approach.

6. Avoid Foods That Trigger You
This last one should go without saying, but it is worth emphasizing. Physical stressors on the body almost always grow into psychological stressors. The Holiday Season / Christmas can be a time of indulgence, and that’s okay, as long as you know your limits. For example, if you know that gluten makes you cranky and bloated, reach for dishes that are gluten-free. These days, you don’t need to worry about being fussy, everyone has different dietary needs and they are all respected. Getting through your Christmas / Holiday celebrations while being kind on your digestive system is key to a stress-free day.

Adapted from an idea seen here

Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan