Holidays are a great time for resting, relaxing, enjoying yourself and recharging your sense of family wellness – or at least they should be. All too often, people find themselves working just as hard during the holidays as they do all the rest of the year, just in a different way. Far from being a relaxing time, Christmas holidays can actually become very stressful as the pressure of trying to make it a very special time makes people rush around decorating, baking, stripping the shelves of the supermarket and trying to do a dozen things at once in order to make the most magical Christmas possible for their family.
Regardless of how admirable the sentiment, it is really not good for your wellbeing to get so stressed about the Christmas celebrations. Whatever you feel or believe about the celebration of Christmas itself, the general ‘theme’ for the time of year is one of love, joy and kindness. When we feel stressed, we actually override the opportunity to slow down and appreciate those around us, showing them our love and appreciation and enjoying the true meaning of the festive season.
Although the pressure to have a perfect Christmas is almost inevitable, it’s worth remembering that the old adage is true, and that it really is ‘the thought that counts’. Making the effort to buy (or make) a gift for someone is the important thing, and will make them feel cared for and loved, regardless of what the item actually is. Similarly, there are other ‘gifts’ that mean just as much as a wrapped, store-bought item. For example, helping a family member with a chore, taking the time to listen to a lonely older relative or doing a favour for a neighbour can all be just as rewarding and important.