Step away from… doing it all

Delegate! You don’t have to tackle it all single-handed! Encourage those around you to take on some of the Christmas preparations. Sit down early and plan what needs doing and who is going to take responsibility for it. This is a great way to ensure everyone is involved and feels part of the preparations as well as building connection. Children love to be involved with the decorating, making mince pies or designing Christmas cards. Discuss with family members and guests who is happy to make a certain dish or contribute their favourite dessert to Christmas lunch. If work pressures and deadlines are looming, try making a list that includes tasks, events, meetings and include preparation time in your diary – be kind and don’t place unrealistic expectations on yourself. Preparing a ‘back to work’ checklist for January, may help relieve some pressure over the Christmas break and allow you time to switch off.

Give it a go… eat for your mood

External pressures can often make us feel like we should be enjoying every second of the festive period but for many of us it can be a stressful, sad or lonely time. A healthy diet can do a lot to boost your mood and wellbeing and can lead to more positive thoughts, feelings, better energy and calmer moods. A diet that is high in salt, saturated fat and sugars can lead to low mood, poor memory and depression, so instead try to focus on fresh, seasonal produce and include unsaturated fats like nuts, seeds and oily fish. Try to be mindful of the amount of Christmas chocolates, sugary cocktails and high sugar desserts you consume this festive period, if you know you are prone to low mood. Serotonin, the happy hormone, has mood-stabilising qualities, so boost its production with foods that are high in tryptophan such as milk or tuna. Eating a protein rich breakfast such as eggs and veg is a great way to begin the day, keeping you off the blood sugar rollercoaster and leaving you happier and more energetic for longer.