5 Tips for Managing Christmas Anxiety

It's the first of December which means it's officially time to step into Christmas. But with packed calendars and bursting to-do lists, it can be a stressful, demanding time that wreaks havoc on our sleep. So, we've got five top tips to keep you suitably rested this festive season.

Tree decorated? Stockings hung? Fridge and cupboards bursting with food and drink intended for guests only? It can mean only one thing… the festive season is in full swing. But while Christmas is a joyous time, filled with friends, family, and more delectable treats than you can shake a profiterole at, it can be a high-pressure occasion filled with emotional pitfalls and stressful situations.

And when you’re stressed, your sleep suffers. But quality sleep is essential to engaging in festive frivolity, so what to do?

We’ve pulled together some seasonal suggestions, aimed at helping you navigate Christmas anxiety. And although we can’t promise a stress-free Christmas (even that’s beyond Santa’s powers!) but we can offer some practical insights to ensure you get the rest you deserve, so you can enjoy the yuletide celebrations.

Dealing with Christmas Stress

A staggering 81% of UK citizens find Christmas stressful; with 16% of people stating they’d prefer to conduct a tax return than visit family over the festive period. They’re sobering statistics.

Whether it’s the pressure to overindulge, concerns about finances, or even the expectation to simply enjoy yourself in a way that makes sense to everyone else, Christmas is highly charged and ultra-demanding, no matter how you celebrate.

So, for a moment, let’s ignore the gifts you give to others, and focus on the one you can offer yourself this festive season: self-care.

1. Moderate the Merriment

We’re expected to overindulge at Christmas. Whether it’s a Buck’s Fizz with breakfast, mulled wine with dinner, or a single malt with the cheeseboard, we’re inundated with opportunities for a festive tipple.

And while, in moderation, a Christmassy cocktail won’t hurt you, there’s a demonstrable link between alcohol consumption and poor sleep, not to mention your mood.

But with alcohol so woven into the festive fabric, how best to approach it?

If teetotalling isn’t for you, it’s important to stay hydrated as the day progresses. A common trick is to alternate between alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. You might also try having a flask of water in the fridge and take regular sips over the course of the day.

If possible, try to avoid drinking too late into the night as the closer to bedtime you imbibe, the higher the likelihood of disrupted sleep.

Aside from sleep, large quantities of alcohol can exacerbate what is already a stressful period (even if you don’t realise it), so monitoring your consumption is a fantastic way of ensuring that your Christmas stress levels stay within the manageable range.

2. Don’t Feel Pressured into Overeating

For many, food is the chief source of Christmas stress, and it’s easy to understand why.

In the UK, the average person consumes upwards of 6,000 calories on Christmas Day.

From pastry-filled breakfasts to traditional roast dinners, decadent desserts to late-night charcuterie and cheeseboards, we’re never more than an arm’s reach away from something delicious at Christmas.

But aside from the disruption to your sleep caused by digesting such copious amounts of food, there’s also mental well-being to consider.

For many, food can be a sensitive topic, and Christmas places it at the heart of the festivities, potentially leading to heightened levels of stress. Fortunately, there’s a growing understanding of the often-complicated relationship people have with food.

As such, it’s important to focus on what’s right for you. Eat what you want to eat when you want to eat it. It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing; you know how you feel.

3. Carve Out Some ‘You’ Time

Repeat after us: “It’s not selfish to spend time alone”.

Seriously, repeat it. It’s important. You see, 90% of coping with Christmas is, realistically, coping with other people, while the other 10% is coping with a seemingly endless task list; from gift buying to food preparation.

It can be incredibly overwhelming.

Whether you’re tussling with demanding house guests, attempting to settle overly excited children, or simply trying to tame your to-do list, Christmas can quickly drain your energy reserve and nudge your stress-o-meter into the red.

So, once you feel those stress levels rising beyond what feels manageable, be sure to find time (read: make time, they’ll understand) to engage in a relaxing or stress-relieving activity – whatever that means to you.

You might go for a brisk winter run. You might curl beneath a blanket and play videogames. You might read a chapter of your book. Alternatively, you may wish to tackle the Christmas anxiety head-on and spend some time writing in a journal to better understand and expel your worries.

However you choose to spend your ‘you’ time, be sure to let everyone else know that it’s important – and maybe even suggest they do likewise.

4. Don’t Disrupt Your Sleep Routine

Your body craves routine; especially when it comes to sleep.

A strong sleep routine helps regulate your emotions, boosts your immune system, and improves your cognitive functioning.

Unfortunately, Christmas, with its late nights, festive parties, house guests, and sleepless children, can cause major disruption to your sleep pattern, potentially contributing to heightened anxiety levels.

Of course, the occasional extension to your bedtime won’t cause too many problems, but we’re talking about consistent interruptions to your sleep routine, which can exacerbate any stress and anxiety you may already be experiencing.

So, try to maintain your regular sleep routine as best you can. Strive to stick to regular bed/wake times, and to preserve your nightly winddown routines – whether you’re partial to a spot of sleep meditation, bedtime reading, or bedtime tea drinking.

5. Decide on Your Ideal Christmas, Nobody Else’s

We’ve saved our most important suggestion for last. Truly, if you take nothing else from our insights, remember:

Decide on the Christmas you want to have. Then, do exactly that.

Don’t allow what you see on social media, adverts, or even your favourite festive TV shows make you feel like your Christmas has somehow ‘failed’ if it’s anything less than idyllic.

Want a minimalist Christmas? Do it. Don’t give a fig about trimmings? You don’t have to. Prefer a full-blown pyjama day, rather than getting dressed up to the nines? You’ll look amazing.

Truthfully, a significant amount of Christmas anxiety stems from the pressure to meet seasonal expectations - whether your dress code, your menu or even your levels of enthusiasm.

So, ask yourself: how do I want to celebrate Christmas? Then, communicate this with anyone who needs to know.

Consider it self-care.

And as you know, good sleep starts with self-care.

And there you have it. Our suggestions for coping with Christmas anxiety. Here’s to a stress-free Christmas, and a relaxing new year.

For more advice on getting the best possible sleep, be sure to check out our sleep blog.