Five Simple Steps to a Happier Christmas

Here we look at five simple steps we can all take to have a happier and less stressful Christmas.

1. Try and be democratic. It is common that everyone has their opinion on what we should do during the Christmas period. So if everyone wants to do different things then turn round and say, “Let’s try three different things”. This gives everyone some kind of voice in what the family unit does. Try and keep it impartial and get everyone to write down suggestions and put them in a hat.

2. Christmas time is family time. So try and go out all together! It also takes away the focus on what is going on as if people are stuck inside together all day and night, you run the risk of focusing on each others behaviour. According to psychological studies, if people sit in a group together all day and for instance just watch television, the mood can become irritable and in some instances negative.

3. Try your best to do something positive for other people. Remember that Christmas can be a very selfish time and there are many people out there probably not as well off as you are or are all alone. So try helping someone. It will not only brighten their day but will make you feel good that you have helped another person not as well off. Remember the rules of Karma!

Also get the family to do something together, even if that means visiting an old friend or an elderly person who is alone down the road.

4. Try and not spend every single moment together. And don’t constitute that by not spending every single moment together is a failure. We all need our own space and breathing room. People tend to believe that Christmas time is a time where everyone should be together. This isn’t a rule set in stone so take an hour to yourself to unwind and do your own thing.

5. Remember that every Christmas is a new experience. People naturally feel under pressure to make every new Christmas better than the last one. So stop trying to recreate other events that were “better”. That way you will not feel so stressed.

The same goes for presents. Do not think that you have to buy your partner or your kids a better or more expensive present than last year or the year before. It is the giving that counts, not the cost!

Happy Christmas to all.