Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and peace. We get to spend some time with friends and family, eat good food and enjoy ourselves. 

However, it can also bring stress and financial pressures. On top of that, this year has been a very different one and we might not be able to spend Christmas the way we want to due to the pandemic. 

It is important to look after yourself and your mental wellbeing during this time and we have collated some tips to help you with this.

Stay connected

If you are unable to spend much or any time with loved ones for Christmas, make sure to stay connected with them, for example via Zoom or Facetime. That way you still get some interaction with them. Why not enjoy a cup of tea or coffee together or maybe even open presents while you speak to each other. 

Don’t bottle it up

If you feel that you can’t get in the festive spirit and that the past few months have had a bigger effect on you than you might have realised, confide in a friend or family member. Speaking about your fears and what is making you feel anxious can help you clear your mind and even lift those feelings. Make sure you don’t bottle it up.

Have some me time

If you are seeing family, allow yourself to still have some time for just you. Take a relaxing bath or read a book. The past year has been intense and this time is all about letting go of those pressures.

Do it yourself

Maybe you discovered some new skills during lockdown and it might be a great idea to put them to good use. If you got into baking or cooking, why not gift some homemade baked goods or jams. Discovered your love for knitting? You could make some lovely, unique hats which will come in really handy during the cold months. This can save you money and is a good way to give more personal gifts.

We hope that these tips help you feel calmer this Christmas.

If you think a new career is on the cards for you then keep an eye out for new opportunities on our website. Visit our careers page or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

Recently, the ‘I’m a celebrity’ contestants were asked what percentage of adults think that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and the answer was only 34%.

While Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and peace, for many it is the most stressful time of the year, with overwhelming family and financial pressures.

We have collated our top tips to help you have a more relaxed festive period.

It’s ok not to do everything

While it can be nice to visit family over Christmas, for some it might mean it will make the holidays more stressful having to navigate traffic and travel across the country. Remember that it’s ok to stay home and have a few quiet days to yourself if that’s what you prefer.

Stick to your budget

Giving gifts is great, but we can all be guilty of overspending sometimes and this is a popular time for doing so. Setting yourself a budget for presents and sticking to it will help you not only feel less stressed about money but will also do your wallet a favour.

Look out for better deals

Check websites like eBay for better deals. You can buy unused or good as new second-hand items for a much lower price.

Do it yourself

You don’t always need to buy presents. It can be just as nice to gift something you have made yourself, for example, some homemade baked goods or jams.

Christmas cards – you don’t have to send them

Writing Christmas cards, making sure you have the right address for everyone and posting all of them on time can be stressful. It can also be quite an expensive affair. Save some time, money and the environment by either sending out a nice Christmas email to everyone this year or, if you don’t feel like it, not sending cards at all.

We hope that these tips help you feel calmer in the run-up to Christmas.

If you think a new career is on the cards for you then keep an eye out for our blog next week where we will talk about how you can make use of your time off during the festive season to be best prepared for your job search in the new year.

To find out more about our current opportunities, visit our careers page, or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

If you are looking for roles in the rail, water, construction or property sectors, take a look at our latest vacancies and apply!