Stress at Christmas

Why do I seem to suffer more from stress at Christmas?

Christmas is a time where we are meant to be happy, well that’s what the TV and the advertising companies are trying to tell us. All the happy people sat around the table eating food, giving gifts and sharing jokes, but is this your experience?

First of all, the cost of Christmas and particularly this year when so many people are feeling the pinch with the cost of living. Anyone with children knows just how long and expensive their lists can be and let’s face it Santa does not always have the budget. We seem to fall into the trap of thinking we have to spend loads of money at Christmas and for many people they just don’t have it. So then credit cards take a hammering and there comes the stress of how to pay those off.

Christmas with family is not always a happy experience. Who is sleeping where, who can’t sit next to who at the table, where are the batteries for the kids toys? These are things that can make Christmas hard work. Not all families get on, some of the worst arguments can happen over the Christmas table. And then there are the people who are missing at Christmas, the empty chair at the table where someone used to sit. Christmas is a hard time when you are grieving.

Although we look forward to some time off work, time with family and friends, eating and drinking whatever we want, Christmas is not an easy time of year. The pressure to make it good for others can be too much. I am terrible for worrying about whether my family will like their presents. It was easier when they were small children but when your kids are adults it seems even harder. Making sure that my mum is ok as it’s only our second Christmas without my dad is something else which is on my mind but I cannot change that. Sometimes we need to just ask ourselves, “can I change this?” and in respect of someone being missing, we cannot. I can change how much I spend on Christmas presents but I cannot change how other people behave.

There is no quick fix to making Christmas less stressful but there is one thing you can do, remember it is just a day, this year it’s a Monday and then it’s gone again for another 12 months.

Whatever you are doing this year, make sure you have some time for yourself.

Merry Christmas