The countdown to Christmas and the new year continues.

As the festive season approaches, we can be dealing with a myriad of feelings – excitement, dread, overwhelm, exhaustion and more.

The holiday period can sometimes take us out of our comfort zone with gatherings fuelling fatigue, the feeling to keep up with it all and the utter depletion that comes from this.

In order to avoid falling into this slump, it is worthwhile planning in advance and taking steps to self care.

Tips

1. Know your limits. Engaging with friends and family, some of whom you may not have seen in some time can be taxing. Be aware of your energy levels and what you can sustain to ensure you do not overdo it and bring about post exertional malaise. Socialising, as beneficial as it is to your mental wellbeing, can be tiring and needs to be balanced.

2. Communicate your needs. Putting on an act and/or pretending you are fine can be draining from many points of view. Be kind to yourself and others by being vulnerable and letting family and friends know in advance that you may not be yourself on the day or need to take breaks to rest and/or nap.

3. Make use of stress reduction strategies. Alternate nostril breathing, meditation, vagus nerve stimulation, restorative yoga, emotional freedom technique are all ways of coping and managing with the stress that comes along with this period.

4. Don’t beat yourself up for indulging. You may well be focussing on reducing or eliminating inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, sugar and others, which can be difficult to do in large gatherings. Having an occasional treat at this time of year will not ruin your dedication or derail your efforts. This obviously does not apply if you have diagnosed allergies or intolerances. If you are on a strict dietary regime, plan in advance to have your food accessible on the day so you are not left hungry!

5. Stay hydrated! I am a strong believer in remaining hydrated. Doing so is straightforward for the most part and can be a quick and easy way to increase your energy levels.

If you have any questions arising from the above, you are welcome to let me know. You can in addition schedule in a complimentary call with me. I am otherwise reachable on Instagram.