Archives for December 2010

Whether you’re a “natural” worrier or not, there’s something about the looming of 25th December that can drive even the calmest Christmas Elf to start to stress out!

The funny thing about worrying is that it never fixed anything. Yet it’s a habit that so many of us are addicted to.

“Worrying is a great way of creating a future you don’t want.” Esther Hicks

Add a dollop of organising Christmas events to the mix and worrying takes on a whole new dimension.

The thing is that, when we’re worrying, we get stuck in our head, going over and over and round and round the thing that may never happen. Worrying about it means we’re giving it so much attention that we actually make it more likely to happen.

Time To Get Active!

4 Steps To Ditching Your Christmas Worries

How about taking a moment to write down some of the things you’re worried about this Christmas? Include everything – even the stuff that seems silly or small – that’s just as likely to cause you stress as some of the bigger things.

For each worry you have written down, ask yourself 4 questions:

1. Is this REAL? … or is there a chance it’s just something you’re imagining might happen?
2. Are your concerns about the consequences realistic? … or are they perhaps a little out of proportion?
3. Does it really matter? … is the world going to stop turning? Is it really as big a deal as your mind is telling you?
4. What could I do differently, so that this is no longer an issue? … you do have a choice – make the most of it!

Most worries can be fixed by changing our attitude – would this work for you on each of the worries you listed? What actions could you take, to “fix” this worry?

If it’s something outside of your control, such as whether Auntie Beryl will argue with Grandpa, then you probably just have to let it go and book your ring-side seat. But if it’s something you can make a difference to, then taking even a baby step towards a solution can remove a heavy weight from your shoulders.

If you found this article useful, you might be interested to know that it is technique #4 from 101 Ways To De-Stress Your Christmas.

If you want to know more about how to create a stress-free Christmas, you can download a copy of “101 Ways To De-Stress Your Christmas” right now.

Whatever kind Christmas Stress you’re suffering from, this book brings you the tips, techniques and strategies you need, to help you reduce your stress levels this year.
They are based on sound psychological principles, bucket loads of common sense and simple, yet effective, strategies that Clare Josa has developed over the years of surviving yet another family Christmas, usually with a dollop of humour!

So whatever your Christmas stresses, there will be plenty here to help you out.

Some strategies and tips are short-n-sweet. Others go into more detail, with specially designed exercises, to help you dump your Christmas stress.

You can treat this book as your Christmas First Aid kit.

BUT – this book won’t do much for you unless you actually use the stuff that’s in it! Apply the strategies, play with the exercises, enjoy the questions. Keep the book with you, throughout the festive season, so you can dip into it whenever you need it.
The great thing is that most of these strategies aren’t just for Christmas – you can use them all year round.

By reading this book, you will:

• Figure out your Christmas stress type – an essential start point for de-stressing your Christmas
• Clearly identify your Christmas stress triggers, to help you create a tailored, practical action plan
• Discover the “magic question” that can instantly shift you from stress to solutions
• Learn 14 ways to create more time, so you can feel less stressed about Christmas (and the rest of the year!)
• Pick your favourites from 28 strategies for staying sane over the festive season
• Find out how to get everything done, without having to be superhuman
• Pick up insider secrets on how to turn things around, even if it all goes wrong on the big day!

Get your copy now.