Here are some quick and easy ways to avoid burnout this December.

In the past, when I’ve thought of December and the run-up to Christmas, it’s always left me feeling faintly breathless at the very thought of it. Packed with a whirlwind of social events, seasonal catch-ups, frantic shopping trips, carol concerts, Christmas parties and not a minute to catch a breath. This can quickly leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and burned out.

But does it need to be like this? As the nights grow longer and the sunsets more vibrant, it can be helpful to stop for a minute, to interject some calm into the chaos. To breathe deeply.  To enjoy those magical moments, to savour a hot chocolate and a mince pie, to take a bracing walk.

To feel the wind blow in your hair and the breeze clattering your cheeks. To rest for a while with your feet up on the sofa, under a blanket with a good book and a mug of steaming hot tea are all great ways of avoiding burnout.

Take a minute or two to breathe deeply from the bottom of your belly, and sigh out any emotion you’ve been hanging on to. There’s nothing better than letting it all go.  If you do this outside on a chilly winters day, you can see your breath as you sigh it out, you can watch it float away. 

Look out for the lulls

Even the busiest of months will have its natural lulls. Quieter times, pockets of slower-paced time when you don’t have to be dashing anywhere. Embrace these quieter days.

Treat yourself to nourishing food, early nights or lazy long lie ins (if small children permit this!) Or snoozy times on the sofa, or days pottering around the house maybe. Use these times to recharge your own personal batteries and to do the things you love doing. 

Create a little magic whenever you can! 

Add a little sparkle to your life by using fairy lights and candles and creating cosy corners to snuggle up into. A cosy nook to shelter you from the outside world. A nurturing cocoon that you can retreat to especially if you have a young family or are expected to entertain members of your wider family over the Christmas period.

No one needs to be on call 24/7 (unless you’re a single parent of course!) It is ok to retreat to your own space with a mug of spiced apple tea or whatever you prefer to drink with a good book, your journal, or simply sink into the space, shut your eyes and block out the world for a while.

Do things your way. You don’t have to do the same things as everyone else.

It’s ok for you to need some time to yourself. Or for you to buy all the bits of your Christmas dinner pre-chopped so you don’t have to spend the whole holiday slaving away over a hot stove.  No one is handing out awards for the neatest chopped vegetables so take whatever shortcuts makes most sense to you. Or if hiding in the kitchen IS your thing, do that! Just do whatever works for you!

Let go of the need for perfection

Don’t worry if things aren’t perfect, often the funniest memories are made from when things go a bit wrong. Let go of expectations, not everyone is going to have a glorious family packed Christmas, some people will be spending Christmas alone, others will find that spending time with family is stressful. 

Just take each day as it comes and don’t be afraid to take yourself out of the way if you need to have some space. It can get a little intense if you go from seeing someone in passing each day, to being stuck in the same room with them for days on end! Everyone needs a little downtime to breathe out or walk off all that turkey and Christmas pudding

For me, my favourite way to celebrate is to have times of connection interspersed with pockets of quiet time where I can be alone and enjoy the peace and quiet. Where I can retreat from the world for a while and read, have a nap, write in my journal or do some painting. 

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/how-to-have-a-perfectly-imperfect-christmas-this-year/

https://www.mamacoopskitchen.co.uk/all-butter-orange-mince-pies/

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