We are so proud of Dr Felicity Baker for being featured in iPaper this week discussing how to combat festive season fatigue.
In truth, it is a season of mixed emotions.
💚 Some people spend months anticipating the joy of Christmas and relish every moment when it arrives.
🧡 For others, it's a time sadness as they are reminded of troubled relationships or loved ones lost.
Either way, The sheer number of tasks to get through (😩 shopping, cooking, tidying 😩) can be overwhelming.
❓ So, what can you do to calm festive stress, reduce fatigue and connect with the more positive emotions of this season?
3 ways to manage festive season fatigue
🎄 Let go of negative self talk
Christmas can be a highly pressured time and many of us experience feelings of anxiety or stress. When this happens, it's easy to launch into self-criticism, berating yourself for not coping or managing effectively. But this only makes you feel worse and creates a vicious circle of negativity that fuels further stress.
Remember: You're doing your best
🎄 Be kind to yourself
Taking a few moments of time out, engaging in activities that you find soothing and enjoyable will help to calm the stress response. You may want to try practising mindfulness. This will allow you to focus on the present moment and to let go of unhelpful worries.
Remember: You matter too
🎄 Make space for positive emotions
Research shows that positive emotions help to soothe the stress response. They calm the sympathetic nervous system and generate a sense of safety and contentment, telling your brain that everything is ok. If you're feeling agitated or overwhelmed, generating positive emotions can undo stress, creating a sense of hope, and confidence that difficult times will pass.
Remember: You are loved