12 tips: How to stay calm and focused, even during the busy pre-holiday period

The feeling of being overwhelmed in the days leading up to the main holiday of winter is especially noticeable, because there are so many things to do. Thus, fatigue gradually accumulates, we sleep less, we are more nervous, and therefore we lose our health, which should definitely be avoided.

The Sun published an article: "How to avoid stress in the run-up to the holidays", based on the advice of Joan Mallon, author of the book "How to Find Calm in Five Minutes a Day". Here are the most effective ones.

Remember to take care of yourself

"Life is messy and rough around the edges, and Christmas is no exception," says Joanna.

"The first thing you need to do is get rid of the guilt over the so-called 'me time' that easily slips away at this time of year."

"I think in this case, the idea that this is a time to recharge will help you," the author believes.

"Even if you have people in your life who depend on you, you can't give everything to them without leaving anything for yourself."

Recharging is essential

According to Joanna, the best way to deal with stress is to build sustainable good habits.

"Think about something you already do every day, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower, and connect it to your new habit," she advises.

Do not complicate or prolong the process

"An hour of meditation may be good for your well-being, but who has an hour to spare to sit in silence, especially at Christmas?"

Manage yourself

The theoretical to-do list, especially on the eve of a big day, seems endless. Therefore, to avoid creating stressful situations, break down the tasks for each day.

"What is the main thing you want to do?" asks Joanna. "Break it down into sequential actions, take the first step, and the momentum will take you further."

Don't be afraid to refuse tasks

"Always ask yourself what will happen if you don't do something," Joanna recommends, "If the answer is nothing, then you can safely refuse the task."

"That's exactly what I did," says the writer, "I crossed off ironing, sending Christmas cards, and doing Burpee from my list.

Create a window of anxiety

It's good to acknowledge your anxieties because if you keep them bottled up, they can creep into your daily life or, worse, lead to a nervous breakdown at the most inopportune moment.

"Pay attention to your worries and set aside a five-minute 'worry window' in the evening," says Joanne.

"Having an active start and end to your worry window - you can even set a timer - will help you feel in control and able to deal with whatever is challenging you."

Eat dark chocolate

Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency is associated with depression and increased susceptibility to stress and anxiety.

"That's why it's been called a 'natural tranquilliser'," says Joanna.

To compensate for its deficiency, she advises including magnesium-rich foods such as dark chocolate, nuts, avocados, seeds, bananas and tofu in your diet.

Look at the sky more often

Christmas is all about reds, greens and golds, and there's no room for blue, which psychologists say is a calming colour.

"Light, soft blues also help us concentrate better," says Joanna. "I often start my day by looking at the sky, noting what shade it is. And if it's grey, I put on a blue jumper."

Listen to Mozart

It may be a cliché, but classical music can really improve your mood.

"Listening to any classical music has been found to lower blood pressure," says Joanna.

If classical music isn't your thing, make your own playlist of songs that bring back pleasant memories.

Use your phone as little as possible

Set rules for using your phone and stick to them.

"Our mobile phones are one of the biggest culprits of our distraction and stress," says Joanna. "However, you own your phone, not it owns you. Turning off all notifications from apps will help calm your mind."

"I've switched off some of my busiest group chats so that I can look at them when it's convenient for me, not when my phone decides to beep," says the writer.

Find a quiet corner

After a long day in your home, you should have a corner where you feel completely at ease.

"My calm corner is a big, soft, orange, velvet chair where I can read a book in silence," Joanna says.

Tip: If you don't have such a place at home, find it in a cafe, near work, or in a park, for example

Focus on the good things

When life is hectic or difficult, it's easy to forget that things could be much worse, no matter who you are or what your circumstances are.

"Practicing gratitude every day is a fantastic way to feel positive even in the toughest of times," says Joanna.