23 Nov 2023

Santa, please bring some resilience – I swear I’ve been (mostly) good!

This time of the year can feel less like a blessing despite the spirit. Shopping for the perfect gift for everyone, planning holidays, preparing the menu, taking everyone’s dietary needs into account. How can you give your resilience a boost when Mariah Carey is blaring from most shops, and you are battling at the shops and car parks?

Below are our top tips for applying resilience during your holiday season:

1. Manage expectations: be realistic about what you can achieve and what you expect from others AND yourself. Gifts are great, presence is better.
2. Practice self-care: I know, you’re trying to get everything done for everyone else – but who will do that if you crash and burn? Get enough sleep (seriously, put the phone down and go to bed earlier, Jo) eat well, exercise (shopping counts) and take breaks. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it helps you stay resilient and cope better with the stressful demands.
3. Set boundaries: ‘No’ is a complete sentence. Boundaries prevent overwhelm, ensuring you have the time and energy for what matters most. If it’s not an F Yes, it’s a No.
4. Embrace flexibility: plans change, unexpected events will happen at the worst possible time. Being flexible and adaptable can help you navigate changes smoothly.
5. Seek support: if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, reach out to friends, family, or other support groups. Sharing your feelings can give perspective and comfort. Tell them you just need to vent if that’s what you want, otherwise you may find yourself more stressed with well-intentioned advice.
6. Focus on what matters: what is the true meaning of the holiday for you? Spending time with loved ones, enjoying traditions, giving back – focus on what brings you joy to help maintain your perspective.
7. Practice gratitude: having a sense of gratitude for the good things in life can help shift your focus away from stressors, enhancing resilience. Plus, it helps when the gifts don’t quite meet your expectations.
8. Learn to let go: things won’t always go perfectly. Practice letting go of the need for perfection and accepting imperfections; try finding the beauty and joy in the less-than-perfect moments too.

These strategies can help you navigate the holiday season with a more positive mindset, manage stress more effectively, and create meaningful experiences that align with what truly matters to you.

Jo Stuart | Trainer