Stop the Christmas stress! Small decalogue to prepare for the Christmas holidays in the best way

The Christmas holidays, so that they are truly happy days to be dedicated to those you love and deserved relaxation, you must organize them avoiding too many expectations

What are the reasons that can make the Christmas holidays particularly difficult to deal with, both from a practical and psychological point of view?
It starts with the race to buy gifts. Then move on to the effort of shopping to prepare Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas lunch. And after a few days also the New Year's Eve dinner. All weighed down by the anxiety of having to sit at the table with some relative who can hardly bear.
Worse still if the typical depression of this anniversary breaks out, the so-called "Christmas Blues", which affects those who feel alone.

Is there a way to get out of this turmoil as unscathed as possible?

Here is a small handbook to prepare for the Christmas holidays in the best way.

• Do not expect anything in particular from others and avoid putting yourself in "competition". It is right that everyone participates according to their financial possibilities, regarding the gifts and their culinary skills in the preparation of meals. Gifts and banquets are first of all pleasures, not duties and as such they must be faced.
• Make a to-do list, in order of priority, to make sure you remember the most important ones and save time.
• If you really cannot avoid the "serpent relatives", it is good to try to cheer up relationships as much as possible in the days before the holidays, to arrive at the table more relaxed.
• It's hard to get the perfect gift right. But it is certain that if you focus on the tastes of the person and not on what looks good to those who buy it, the risk of making mistakes is greatly reduced. A small "targeted" gift, made with love and attention can be worth a lot.
• If the couple's relationship has been in crisis for some time it is healthier to continue sharing moods and talking about unresolved issues even if it is Christmas. If you stay too long you risk exploding at the least opportune moment.
• Those who are single and with a fairly low mood because "everyone is in a couple except me", between courses, could get distracted by turning their attention to the grandchildren if there are any. Children are a terrific therapy for warding off melancholy. If, on the other hand, you really want to "escape" and you can do it, go ahead. It is a good opportunity for a nice trip.
• Unfortunately, it happens to lose a loved one just before the Christmas season. Living the holidays anyway, despite the pain, is the only way to overcome grief. It is also good to think that the memories and soul of the loved one have not really left us.
• Often you get so tired and nervous at Christmas that you just can't pretend to be calm. Yet the performance is essential. Otherwise, the sense of guilt is triggered, because we are sorry to disappoint relatives and friends. In these cases, a lucid analysis is appropriate to understand what is the true and deepest reason for one's discontent. There is no need to indulge others in the need to be happy. But understand yourself, your reactions and identify possible solutions to avoid being trapped in a bad mood.
• The days of the end of the year induce to take stock. If these are unsatisfactory, it would be better to try to think positively and be convinced that even negative situations always teach something.
• After the banquets it happens to accuse digestive disorders, which are not always due to overeating. But to the discomfort created by the tension of meeting expectations or by the presence of unwelcome guests. This is why it is important to live the holidays with simplicity and with the people with whom you are really comfortable.

Happy Holidays!

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