Tips for a relaxed Christmas season
Christmas is just around the corner and preparations for the festive season are in full swing. Between visiting Christmas markets and Christmas parties, quickly buying presents and getting the Christmas tree - for many, the festive season is pure stress.
The crowds in shops, city centers and Christmas markets are particularly annoying and, according to a FORSA survey commissioned by KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse, the number one stress factor during the Christmas season. In second and third place come the constant temptation of sweets and other treats and the search for the right Christmas present.
Unfortunately, Christmas usually offers hardly any rest and relaxation. Hours of cooking, family arguments or disappointed faces when unwrapping presents can spoil the festive mood.
Table of contents:
Less stress during the Christmas season
With our tips, you can reduce stress over the Christmas period and spend the holidays in a relaxed and laid-back way.
Out of the gift madness
Nowhere else is it easier to save time and avoid stress than when buying presents. If you buy your presents earlier or already know what you want to give, you can avoid the crowds in the shops. Even more relaxed: Do without presents. We live in abundance and consume all year round. We could actually do without presents at Christmas. Perhaps you could support a joint donation project instead. For all those who don't want to do without presents completely, a good idea is to give presents.
It doesn't have to be perfect
The most creative table decorations, the tastiest five-course meal and the most beautiful Christmas tree: for many, Christmas is a time of superlatives. But perfectionism puts you under enormous pressure and creates a lot of stress. So remove superlatives from your vocabulary. It's the quality time with your loved ones and not the Christmas tree or table decorations that you'll remember. To reduce stress, it also helps to hand over tasks to other family members. For example, everyone can prepare part of the Christmas menu or you can cook together.
Take on fewer social obligations
It's not uncommon for the Advent season to already be planned at the beginning of November and the closer it gets to Christmas, the less time there is to take a deep breath. Therefore, think about which pre-Christmas commitments you want to take part in and reject all other activities. Incidentally, this also applies to social media. The constant messages, Christmas greetings and video messages are an enormous stress factor. Therefore, put your smartphone to one side more often during the Christmas period or only look at it at certain times.
Give yourself plenty of time out
Make sure that your diary is not just full of Christmas parties and to-do lists, but also plan enough space for relaxation. Constant stress is not only stressful for your psyche, but also has a negative impact on your immune system, your weight and your muscle development.
You can read more about stress here.
Vegan Christmas?
Christmas is often a particular challenge for vegans. Ingrained habits and family traditions often leave little room for anything new. The festive meal and presents in particular are therefore a frequent point of conflict. It is best to clarify early enough what will be on the table at Christmas and think about vegan alternatives. Maybe the family is open to a vegan menu or at least a vegan starter and/or dessert. You can find delicious plant-based recipe ideas at ProVeg or PETA, for example.
To avoid non-vegan gifts, it helps to make specific wishes before the festive season. If that doesn't help, ask if you can exchange the gift. Even if it is difficult: Christmas is not the right time to convince your family to adopt a vegan lifestyle. So it's better to avoid discussions and simply laugh off the stupid comments. If that doesn't help, here are a few SOS tips for inner peace and serenity.
For a relaxed celebration: our SOS tips
- Make positive thoughts, e.g. „I'm not taking this personally“
- Take a deep breath and count to 10 internally
- When emotions are running high and anger is in the air, there's only one thing to do: leave the situation. A sports session or a walk in the fresh air will help you let off steam and stay calm. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga are a good way to switch off and find peace. Simply concentrate on your breathing for 5 to 10 minutes and let all your thoughts drift away.
- Don't settle unpaid bills at Christmas! If you find it difficult to close the books on the past, you should look for a clear conversation after the holidays.
We wish you a relaxing Christmas season and happy holidays!
