Ten ways to manage your energy levels at Christmas time
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Christmas is often portrayed as the ‘most wonderful time of the year’. However, it can also be the most exhausting and pretty stressful!
Stressors come in many forms … from late nights, hangovers, and food excesses, to family fallouts, overspending, and to-do list overwhelm. All of these things put a great strain on our nervous system, which then triggers the stress response, and can lead to a big dive in energy levels.
However, all is not lost. There are things that you can do to prevent, manage, and recover from seasonal fatigue. I’ve included a few examples below. Hopefully, there’s something here that resonates with you and carries you through. Remember, consistency is key!
Be aware of your triggers
You know yourself better than anyone. You know what presses your buttons. So, take a look back at previous Christmas breaks. Ask yourself: What can you learn from them? What can you do differently this time to manage your stress levels? What resources can you put in place to maintain your energy? How can you better manage your responses and your actions so that you are able to cope more effectively?
Adjust your expectations
We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to ensure that Christmas goes smoothly and everyone has a great time. We want everything to be ‘perfect’. It can be very tiring! Sometimes things just don't turn out the way we hope and expect. So maybe it's time to drop the need for perfection, modify expectations, accept what is, and make the best of the season. Remember, if something does not go quite to plan, it is not the end of the world.
It's ok to say no (thank you)
Saying ‘no’ can be difficult for many of us as we think it sounds selfish or rude. Actually, saying ‘no’ means that you are being true to your values and respecting your boundaries. As long as it is done politely and respectfully, there’s nothing wrong with it. You have needs too, and it’s more than ok to express them. You are still a nice person 😊
Just breathe
If you are feeling stressed out, anxious, or overwhelmed, try some deep breathing exercises (breathe from the belly, not the chest). It has an incredible calming effect on the nervous system.
Prioritise yourself - take time out
We are not machines, our bodies need time to relax and recharge. Think of the airplane analogy. Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. Tell family and friends how you feel, and let them know that you need a bit of time out.
Stay hydrated
There is a correlation between hydration and energy, too. Most of us tend to drink more alcohol than usual during the festive period, leaving us feeling dehydrated and blah. Even 5% dehydration in the body negatively impacts our energy levels. Try alternating every alcoholic drink with a soft drink or ensure that you increase your daily water intake. Your liver will thank you too!
Get enough sleep
Good sleeping habits are key to recharging your batteries. The less sleep we have, the more chance there is of low mood and exhaustion, due to depleted melatonin. The festive season can be full of late nights, travelling and overindulging, all of which can impact your quality of sleep. Where possible, aim for 8 hours a night, and try to stay consistent with your sleep times.
Manage your blood sugar levels
There’s always a lot of sugary food and drink floating around at Christmas. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself, as long as you do it in moderation. Too much can imbalance your blood sugar, giving you huge energy dips that leave you feeling lethargic and sluggish. Low blood sugar during the night can also wake you up at 3 or 4am making you tired and grumpy the next day. Don’t skip any meals and, if you need to snack, try to bring in some healthier food like almonds or a dab of hummus on an oat cake biscuit.
Practice pacing
Try to balance activity with periods of rest so you don’t end up overdoing things and crashing. Know your energy limits, and do your best to stay within them. It all comes down to planning. That way you can see what activities are coming up and where you need to make adjustments. Make sure you include recovery days in your Christmas schedule, be aware of the tell-tale signs that your energy levels are waning and stop, have a rest.
Share the load
If you’re in charge of hosting Christmas, don’t feel like you have to do everything yourself. Delegate, delegate, delegate!
At the end of the day, your body will tell you what you need. Make sure you listen and act accordingly.
Have a Merry (and energised) Christmas!