These tips are from our Psychologist Greg Turner who has a wonderful sense of humour!
Greg is a highly experienced psychologist who brings warmth and a down to earth approach to helping his clients with anxiety, depression, relationships, anger struggles and life issues and stress in general. Greg is at Brisbane Wellbeing Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Thanks also to Dietician Nutritionist Lulu Cook…
For many people life gets busier every year and while we all look forward to the festive season to have some time off work and enjoy the festivities it’s easy to feel more pressure and stress. The pressure of Christmas shopping alone can drive people into a frenzy, to the point we now see shopping rage as a common occurrence, where trolleys are used as battering rams to get to that last toy that little Tommy just has to have! Shopping centre car parks become theatres of war as drivers search for that elusive park. Then there are the social gatherings of family and friends some of whom we only see at Christmas for good reasons! Work parties, particularly those with copious amounts of alcohol flowing, can often be dangerous as the normal work protocols, diplomacy and tact become blurred. Then there is always the ‘where to go on holidays’ question, while in the back of our mind we’re thinking of busy airports, highways filled with road rage, expensive holiday accommodation rates and places teeming with tourists, to the point we really just want to stay at home. Yes, the silly season can be fraught! But remarkably we put ourselves through these pressures year after year when we don’t need to. There are alternatives!
What stresses people the most about this time of year?
Clients generally mostly talk about the stress they feel, including financial stress, to buy Christmas presents and get all the Christmas shopping completed. Gift giving has taken on a competitive urge with a complex etiquette to be followed such as memories of previous Christmas’s and who bought what and how much should be spent, and as families grow should we really be buying presents for everyone. Buying food and drink also adds to the financial stress. It is amazing how much stress people put themselves under at Christmas time, maxing out the credit cards and even taking out loans to cover costs.
Family gatherings also can result in stress, and for some people even the lead-up to such gatherings can result in anguish and anxiety. Family members who have little to do with each other throughout the year come together and sometimes it doesn’t go well. Relationships come under increased pressure due to stress and issues that were kept under wraps due to busy lives come out into the open when there is more time together. Little annoyances can become major resentments often to the surprise of the other partner.
Clients also talk of a ‘let-down’ effect which occurs when those leading a busy and stressful life suddenly is freed up from all that business and stress. If not channelled into something fulfilling all that pent-up energy can cause problems.
The New Year period is also a time for reflection and resolutions. This can result in a minor, or sometimes a major, existential crisis. Many people feel they are running on a wheel that spins faster every year, and they want to get off that wheel, or at least have it slowing down. Unfortunately for many people, despite the New Year resolutions, their world gets more complicated year by year.
How can we try and keep our psychological cool over Christmas?
We need to keep it all in perspective and remember what Christmas should be all about. Being well prepared and organised in regard to what we want to get out of Christmas is the key. Once you know what you want the next thing is to stay in control and not allow yourself to be flung into the frenzy of the silly season. Rather than think of all the pressures and stress of Christmas think of the potential opportunities that come with some time off work to review, reflect and consider your options for the future. In a time when there is much instability in the world reflect on how fortunate we are to live in a free and beautiful Australia and make the most of it.
Can you give me a tip list that could help?
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If you’re having time off over Christmas spend the first day or so reviewing and processing work issues and then figuratively put them in a box to be opened again only when you return to work.
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Give consideration to the stress that may be across family members and pay particular attention to communication. Be considerate, kind and forgiving with each other.
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Connect with nature! Evidence shows our wellbeing increases when we are more connected with nature. Slow down and walk along the beach or in the rainforest; go snorkelling or swimming. Use all your senses to connect with the natural world.
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Catch up with people you want to spend time with; maybe re-connect with old friends that you’ve been too busy to catch up with.
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Know that it’s okay to have me-time and indulge yourself in activities that bring you fulfilment.
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Think about the activities you have always loved doing but haven’t because of your busy life, and then do them, or some at least. Dust of the fishing gear, or that old surfboard and get out there. It will invigorate your body and your mind and restore your wellbeing.
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Forty minutes a day of moderate cardio activity will not only be good for your physical health but research shows it also maintains your mental health and wellbeing. Grab the family and combine your cardio with fun activities like bush walking, bike riding or swimming.
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Moderate your indulgences in all that yummy food and drink and mix your diet with healthy alternatives. Brisbane Wellbeing Clinic Dietician Nutritionist Lulu Cook recommends not *every* day or *every* meal during the festive season is a special event. Keep your health and mindset on an even keel by eating balanced meals most often, comprised of plenty of fruits and vegetables, along with smaller portions of proteins and whole grains. When it comes time for those really special treats and holiday meals, start the day with balanced eating and some physical activity if possible – then enjoy the holiday feast with no guilt!
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Do a few novel activities, something you’ve often thought of doing but never got around to it.
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Remember that wellbeing is all about balance and the festive season is your chance to recover and restore balance.
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Brisbane Wellbeing Psychologists and Allied Health will be holding Midday Refresh Mindfulness sessions every Thursday throughout December from 12.30pm to 1pm – Sessions will be complimentary but donation to a local charity would be appreciated to share Christmas spirit! www.brisbanewellbeing.com.au