YMCA Healthy Living Magazine, powered by n4 food and health YMCA SUMMER 2020 | Page 14

SALLY SHAW BSC., GRAD.DIP.PSYCH., D.PSYCH. (HEALTH), MAPS
Sally Shaw is a psychologist who holds a particular focus on the provision of information,
education and support to people with neurological conditions and chronic illnesses, and the
health professionals that work with them. Using a positive psychology framework, Sally works
with clients to increase their ability to be strategic while moving forward in life. For more
information visit www.sallyshaw.com.au
LOOKING AFTER
YOURSELF DURING
THE FESTIVE SEASON
Psychologist, Dr Sally Shaw helps us
understand and better cope with stress during
the festive season.
id you know that many people experience a
sense of overwhelm, rather than excitement,
in the lead up to the festive season? If you’re
feeling this way (and perhaps feeling like a stick in the
mud for not embracing the festive cheer), it might help
to know that you’re not the only one.
D
Why can the festive season be so hard?
Stress can come from all angles at this time of year
– work and finances, family and social commitments
– not to mention the pressure toward the end of the
year to “get everything finished”. Christmas can be
particularly hard for those who have difficult
relationships with family members.
Many people push themselves through December
on coffee and adrenaline, only to fall in a blubbering
heap in the post-Christmas period – the time you’re
supposed to be relaxing and recharging!
With self-care top of mind, here are six tips
for coping with the silly season:
1. Take control (as early as possible) of the
things that can be controlled
Identifying what might make you feel tense/angry/
annoyed or frustrated can give you a chance to
temper your reactions and decide how you might
handle situations best. Sit down with a notepad, a
pen and a cuppa. Start with a list of “Things that are
going to stress me out during December”.
Your examples might range from “not having enough
time for present shopping” to “Auntie Thelma being
rude and talking over me like she does every year”.
Some of your points might seem petty to write down,
but if they affect you emotionally, put them on the list!
Sometimes predicting the things that will affect you
emotionally, can help limit the fallout.
You might follow this with another list of things you
need to physically do or organise. If your list seems
overwhelming, look at what tasks you can delegate,
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YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020