All is calm?

"Silent Night" tells us that at Christmas “All is calm, all is bright” - a sentiment that, in reality, can often be elusive during the festive season. The pressure of creating the perfect day, hosting extended family and friends, and organising thoughtful gifts can feel overwhelming. It is no wonder that over 50% of women report finding Christmas to be stressful. 

Follow our ideas to boost your well-being this festive season and make sure that peace on earth includes your home this year.

Planning

Decide on your Christmas menu for Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day and order your shopping ahead of time to avoid last-minute dashes to the supermarket. Ordering online helps you budget effectively by avoiding the aisles of tempting treats that will inevitably make their way into your trolley.
Our Christmas shop has everything you need for your organic celebration delivered to your door. Place your order now and relax with a glass of mulled wine.

Delegate

The pressure of hosting for extended family can make for a very pressured Christmas. It is likely to be the only time of the year that you are catering for a large group and that can make even experienced cooks feel the strain. Spread the stress and financial burden by making every guest responsible for sourcing or preparing one part of your Christmas feast; a cheeseboard, Christmas pudding, or some fancy wine. This allows you more time to focus on cooking your Christmas centrepiece and enjoying the day.

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Research has shown that the more time people spend on social media, the more likely they are to suffer feelings of low self-esteem and inadequacy.  It’s easy to believe that every other family is having a perfect Christmas, with immaculately decorated homes and wholesome family days out, but remember that no one shares family arguments and stroppy teens on their feed. If you find yourself falling into the trap of negatively comparing your life with curated Instagram reels, consider taking a short social media break. 

Eat Mindfully

Christmas is all about the food, but what we eat can affect our mood. With supermarkets full of Christmas chocolates, biscuits, and processed savoury snacks, it can be hard to resist, but eating food high in refined sugars, carbohydrates, and additives can increase feelings of anxiety and low mood. Instead choose the best quality ingredients that you can afford, like organic meat and vegetables and indulge away!

Spend Time in Nature

If the weather outside is frightful, you may be easily persuaded to stay by the fire this winter, but spending time in nature can boost your mental health at this time of year. On these darker days, maximising your exposure to daylight boosts your natural serotonin levels and helps regulate your sleep and mood. With the extra benefit of vitamin D to support your immune system, wrap up warm and get outside for at least half an hour a day.

Reach out to Community

At Christmas, feelings of loneliness and isolation are greatly increased. If you are struggling with the season, then finding ways to reach out to your community by volunteering over Christmas can be a powerful way to feel a sense of connection. If you are fortunate enough to be surrounded by loved ones this year, spread the cheer by inviting someone who you know will be alone this Christmas to share your day. Popping by to an elderly or housebound neighbour with a mince pie and a friendly greeting could make all the difference to someone struggling.

Enjoy Yourself

Christmas is supposed to be about spreading joy, so lower your expectations of the perfect day and just enjoy yourself. Decide with your family which parts of the celebrations you love and concentrate on those. If playing Monopoly after lunch causes family arguments, ban board games. If nobody likes Christmas pudding, then eat ice cream instead. There's no right way to celebrate Christmas, so choose the ones that bring you joy.

Remember, the essence of Christmas lies in connection, and shared moments. By incorporating these ideas, you can create a calmer, more enjoyable festive season for yourself and your loved ones.