Seven ways to reduce stress during the holiday season

The holiday season is an exciting time, but it can bring a fair amount of pressure. Explore these quick and simple ways to help reduce stress over the Christmas period.

1. Take the pressure off

There's a lot of modern-day pressure to turn Christmas into the perfect day, with endless presents, extravagant meals and no complicated family dynamics. But in reality, this aim for perfection can leave us feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Try to keep in mind that Christmas Day is just one day of the year - it's OK to celebrate in a way that works for you.

2. Ditch the tech

Instead of turning to your phone to relax - and potentially comparing your own Christmas day to other people's carefully-curated versions - you could try listening to music, reading a book or even taking part in an online yoga session. Christmas is also a great time to crack out the board games. Monopoly, anyone?

3. Get a good night's sleep

A few sleepless nights are usually nothing to worry about, but a longer-term lack of sleep can start to negatively affect your day-to-day life. If you notice you're finding it hard to nod off over the Christmas season, - and find out more about deep breathing below.

4. Get moving to combat stress

Although it's tempting to stay home and watch as many festive movies as possible, being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and take your mind off daily worries. Plus, popping out for an evening walk with friends or family means you can spot neighbourhood Christmas lights on your travels!

5. Learn to say no

There's lots to say 'yes' to at Christmas - expectations, family members and social events to name a few - but having the confidence to say an occasional 'no' can help you feel more in-control of things. In the run-up to Christmas, have a think about what's most important to you and how you might be able to prioritise it. .

6. Practice deep breathing

We're often advised to take deep breaths - but did you know that by doing so, you're sending direct messages to your body that you're safe? Controlling your breath intentionally can even help to lower blood pressure and relieve stress levels. .

7. Remind yourself that you're not alone

It might be a festive time, but lots of us are dealing with less-than-festive feelings: delicate family situations, illness, mental health struggles, or grief. If you're someone who finds the Christmas period difficult, remember that you're not on your own. Need a place to talk, 24/7? Explore Togetherall, a safe online community to support your mental health.

Wellbeing competition 2023

Have you got your own tips for managing holiday stress? Send them in - the most original and creative suggestion will win a wellbeing basket from the Body Shop!

Send your entries to Denver.Thorpe@warwick.ac.uk, Staff Wellbeing Co-ordinator.

Closing date: Monday 18 December

Good luck!

Terms and conditions

The prize draw is open to all staff at the 果冻传媒 regardless of contract.
The prize draw is free to enter and no purchase is necessary.
All entries must be submitted via email to Denver.thorpe@warwick.ac.uk
The closing date of the prize draw is December 18th 2023 at 5.30pm.
The Promoter accepts no responsibility for entries not successfully completed due to a technical fault.
A winner will be chosen by The Wellbeing Team.
The winner will receive a Wellbeing Basket from Bodyshop.
The winner will be notified by email on 20th December 2023.
The prize will be offered to the winner on 20 December 2023.
The prize for the winner is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered.
The prize is supplied by The Bodyshop Coventry. The Promoter reserves the right to replace the prize with an alternative prize of equal value.
The decision of the Promoter regarding any aspect of the prize draw is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into about it.
The Promoter must either publish or make available information that indicates that a valid award took place. To comply with this obligation the Promoter will send name of the winner and publish it on the Staff Wellbeing Hub.
Participants are deemed to have accepted and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions upon entry. The Promoter reserves the right to refuse entry, or refuse to award the prize to anyone in breach of these terms and conditions.
The Promoter reserves the right to hold void, cancel, suspend, or amend the promotion where it becomes necessary to do so.
Insofar as is permitted by law, the Promoter, its agents or distributors will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate the winner or accept any liability for any loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of taking up the prize except where it is caused by the negligence of the Promoter, its agents or distributors or that of their employees. Your statutory rights are not affected.]
Personal data supplied during this promotion will only be processed as set out in the Promoter's: Privacy Notices (warwick.ac.uk). See also condition 13 with regard to the announcement of winners.
The prize draw will be governed by English law and entrants to the prize draw submit to the jurisdiction of the English courts.
The Promoter of this prize draw is the 果冻传媒/

Resources and support for staff

Taking care of our psychological and emotional health is just as important as maintaining our physical health. If you're in need of some extra support this Christmas, take a look at the Psychological and emotional wellbeing webpage - this guide outlines the many resources that are available if you need advice or guidance for yourself, a colleague or a friend.

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