Surviving the Silly Season with 7 Tips to Beat Burnout
Tackling the Silly Season Challenge
What’s the one word that puts your mind, wallet, and waistline under pressure? It’s Christmas, right?
It’s also the most wonderful time of the year, especially in Australia as the weather heats up, giving us a chance to catch up with friends and spread the festive cheer.
But it can be exhausting! If you have teens like I do, factoring in end-of-year school events is enough to almost tip one over the edge.
Seven Tips for a Stress-Free Celebration
Tip 1: Prioritise Sleep The number one way to get through the silly season without burning out is to get enough sleep. I know there will be some late nights celebrating at work Christmas parties or long girl’s lunches. However, make sure to catch up on sleep during your days off socialising to recharge.
Tip 2: Maintain Your Routine Keep up with your regular routine as much as you can. Try not to sacrifice exercise as you'll miss it not just physically, but mentally as well. Outdoor walks, pilates, the gym, or whatever keeps you moving will reinvigorate you.
Tip 3: Eat Nutritious Food and Stay Hydrated Eating nutritious food and staying hydrated are essential. While there will be rich meals, canapés, and indulgent cocktails, look for healthy options on your days off from events. Avoid letting hangovers lead to poor food choices.
Tip 4: Stay Organised Being organised is key. Add all your events to your phone calendar, make lists, and don’t leave shopping to the last minute. The more organised you are, the less stressful the season will be.
Tip 5: Set Realistic Expectations Set realistic expectations for yourself. Despite your best efforts, you're only human, and you may forget something or make a mistake. Treat yourself with kindness and move on from these inevitable mishaps.
Tip 6: Set Boundaries Have boundaries in place. Before saying yes to every event or opportunity, take a moment to reflect on whether it's something you genuinely want to do and if you can realistically fit it in. Don't be afraid to say no when necessary. This goes for Christmas shopping too - you don't want to start 2024 with a debt hangover.
Tip 7: Practice Mindfulness Practice mindfulness or being present. Whether through meditation, journaling, gratitude exercises, being in nature, or simply taking a moment for yourself, making time for mindfulness activities can help you manage the stress that often accompanies this time of year.
Wishing You a Joyful and Burnout-Free Holiday Season
Remember to enjoy the season, be present, and cherish moments with friends and family. Don't forget that self-care is vital during this busy time.
If you need support with any of these mindfulness activities, you can check out my Free Resources Hub here for downloads to get you started.
It’s fabulous to have the chance to catch up with friends, celebrate all your hard work from throughout the year with colleagues, be generous with time and gifts for family, and have lots of fun as you get caught up in the spirit of it all.
Wishing you a happy, present, safe, loving, and burnout-free holiday season!
Much Love, Emma. X.
