As your mental load increases, stress and fatigue can begin to take over. And with the build up to Christmas, there is usually more on our minds. So how can we improve our wellbeing in this situation while coping with the addition events/activities that come with this time of year? What needs to change?
This was literally me this month. My stock arrived just days before my first big market. I had over 100 orders to fill, school holidays, dental surgery and appointments. Then I had to face one of our biggest weeks while solo parenting. Overload. But I'm so thankful for my planner!
It's manic. Particularly this time of year. The start of a crescendo that leads up to Christmas. The hustle and bustle increases, final exams, tests, staff get-togethers, holiday arrangements being finalised, the extra shopping and additional spending.
Work it out
Many things are out of our control - sick kids, days off work, a flat tyre. But let's focus on what we can control to help us in the lead up to Christmas, which in turn helps us with the unexpected. This requires forming healthy habits. Work on this formula:
Healthy Habits = Better time management = Clarity
No one wants to be stressed right?
Write out (and I mean on physical paper, not your device) your week, and even your month if you know what lies ahead.
Acknowledge what you have on and any plans/arrangements that need to be made. For example, a birthday party to attend which requires time to shop for a gift and help make the cake. Write all these factors in.
THEN if anything unexpected pops up you have your list and can rearrange your time for effectively. Healthy Habit formed = Better time management = Clarity. You will feel more in control and less stressed.
Limit Distractions
In order to add in those extras life throws at us, we need to take out some distractions/unproductive moments, which again means forming a healthy habit. This might take the form of:
limiting how often you check emails or phone notifications
saying yes to anything and over commiting
Limit your distractions. Set limitations.
Get a Good Nights Sleep
Sleep is when our bodies are repairing. Sometimes I think we under value how good it is for us! And I get it. Sometimes it is hard to sleep. But you can help yourself get a better nights sleep by forming some healthy habits (going to bed earlier, better daily time management) and taking things off your mind. By setting up our day more efficiently, we have a sense of achievement, more success and it helps us to sleep better. Still have things on your mind? Write it down. Keep a pen and notepad next to your bed.
What about Christmas?
Set your healthy habits up now and you'll be able to integrate all the extra actions, events, shopping, visits etc required for Christmas. You could even try a monthly habit tracker to keep you acocuntable.
It won't seem like an overload. You have your time planned out making it easier to see what's ahead and how you can fit extra events/acitvities in.
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