Although most people find Christmas a happy and fun time it can also be a stressful time. The need to shop for presents, send cards and spend time with relatives and people we don’t particularly care for and eating and drinking too much can all result in stress.

Christmas can also be a bittersweet time if loved ones are no longer with us. There can also be conflict and misunderstanding when all the family gets together.

Try the following 7 tips to lower your stress this Christmas.

1. Deep breathing
If you are feeling very anxious or stressed try some deep slow breathing, just focussing on your breath. If you can go outside and put your bare feet on the grass while you breathe that’s even better. You may also like to use an Aromastick to bring feelings of calm.

2. Take time out for yourself
Have a relaxing bath or massage, listen to some of your favourite music, eat some chocolate or your favourite food and take the time to really taste and savour it. Do something you really like just for yourself.

3. Take some time out to meditate or listen to a relaxing visualisation.

4. Get plenty of sleep
It’s easy to burn the candle at both ends at this time of year but you’ll find you will cope better if you get plenty of sleep. Not enough sleep can make you tired, irritable and unable to cope with even minor upsets. If you are having difficulty getting to sleep try making a blend of 2 drops lavender, 2 drops geranium and 1 drop sandalwood in 10 mls of vegetable oil and rub into your chest, neck and shoulders about half an hour before going to bed. This should make enough for a few nights use.

5. Drink plenty of water.
Keep yourself well hydrated especially during these hot days of summer. If you are drinking alcohol remember to also drink some water in between drinks.

6. Ask for help.
Don’t try to do everything yourself. Ask for help before everything gets too much for you and you start resenting others.

7. Scent your Christmas tree.
If you have an artificial tree you may like to take a few cotton balls and add a few drops of spruce, pine, cinnamon or whatever aroma reminds you of Christmas and happy times and place them in hidden little corners of your tree to bring the scents of Christmas into your home. Alternatively you could add a few drops of a blend to your diffuser to keep things calm.