4 Ways to Stay Calm this Christmas
Christmas looks magical from the outside but inside many homes, it also brings a rise in stress, pressure, and emotional strain.
In fact, a recent YouGov survey found that over 50% of UK adults say Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year, with money worries, family expectations, and exhaustion topping the list. And Mind UK reports a yearly spike in people struggling with anxiety, loneliness, and overwhelm during December.
So if you’re feeling stretched this season, you’re not doing Christmas “wrong.”
You’re human - and December is a lot.
Here are four gentle, practical ways to make the festive period feel more manageable, grounded and calm:
1, Pause & Breathe (your nervous system will thank you)
When stress rises, your body switches into fight-or-flight mode: heart racing, mind whirring, breathing shallow. This is why something as small as a missing delivery or a last-minute plan change can feel massive.
A few slow breaths can interrupt this spiral.
Try the 5–1–6 breath:
Inhale for 5
Hold for 1
Exhale for 6
Repeat for 1–2 minutes
Long exhales help calm the vagus nerve and regulate your nervous system - instantly creating more space in your mind.
This is especially helpful before heading into shops, cooking for guests, or dealing with family tension.
2. Take a Ten-Minute Time-Out (before you hit overwhelm)
Stepping away early prevents emotions from boiling over.
A reset might look like:
Sitting in another room for a moment
Making a warm drink
Listening to a calming song
Stepping outside for a breath of cool air
These short pauses reduce cortisol (your stress hormone) and help you re-enter the moment with clarity rather than tension.
Stress Matters reports that micro-breaks throughout the day can reduce stress by up to 40% - they’re small, but powerful.
3. Support Your Body: Food, Mood & Festive Habits
December pulls us into a whirlwind of sugary snacks, fizz, late nights and disrupted routines. Enjoying Christmas foods is part of the season - but your body still needs some balance to keep your mental wellbeing steady.
A few helpful reminders:
Eat something nourishing before parties so blood sugar stays stable
Drink water regularly (dehydration increases anxiety and fatigue)
Be mindful of alcohol and caffeine if you're already overwhelmed
Prioritise simple, grounding meals between the celebrations
The NHS now recognises the strong link between gut health, blood sugar regulation and mental wellbeing - supporting your body supports your mood.
If you want to find out more about your health, consider Health Screening too.
4. Keep Moving (gently counts too)
Movement helps regulate stress hormones, boost mood and improve sleep - all things we need more of at this time of year.
You don’t need to stick to your usual routine. Instead, aim for manageable movement:
A short morning walk
Light stretching before bed
A gentle workout video
Dancing to Christmas songs in the kitchen
Studies from Sport England show that even 15 minutes of movement can meaningfully improve mood and reduce overwhelm.
Little pockets of movement can make the whole season feel lighter.
If Christmas still feels too heavy, you’re not alone - and support is available
Many people find December emotionally challenging for reasons that aren’t always visible: grief, loneliness, family pressure, relationship strain, financial stress or simply burnout after a long year.
Therapy, hypnotherapy and acupuncture can help you:
manage emotional overwhelm
calm your nervous system
feel more grounded and steady
move through December with more ease
If you'd like a safe, calm place to talk, reset and find your footing again, I’m here. A gentle conversation is often the first step.
Get in touch whenever you need:
