As a working mum of three children, it's fair to say that this time of year just about finishes me off. Between work, school events (x three) and attempting to make Christmas the most magical one yet (why is there so much pressure every year?), my stress levels seem to rise earlier and earlier each year, and by the end of November, I'm so firmly in fight-or-flight that my nervous system doesn't even remember the rest-and-digest part.
And I'm far from alone: according to a 2024 YouGov survey, women find the festive season more stressful than men, with mums topping the table when it comes to mental load. Now, I'll level with you: I'm not the calmest person at any time of year, but even the thought of Christmas makes my heart start to race (and not in a good way!) Usually, I can turn my tried-and-trusted self-care stalwarts such as working out, eating well and making sure I get enough sleep to regain some balance - but you don't need me to tell you that often, all that is a pipe dream at this time of year, too.
