How should you approach the festive season?

It's a very mixed message that I hear every festive season. Some are looking forward to it. Some are not looking forward to the over eating (but they will still do it!!!). And some are looking forward to time off from work more than anything. So how should you approach the festive season this year.

You know as well as I do there is never a one size fits all answer to a question like this. But I feel there can be a definite successful approach to the way you attack and go about enjoying the festive season period. I think a dangerous way to approach Christmas and New Year is thinking life is suddenly going to be all bells and whistles and for two weeks all of life's hassles are going to just drift away with the over indulgent mist that this period produces. I suggest you start preparing for the last two weeks of the year and the first week of the new year now. If nothing else it will make the transition back into the next year smoother and not such a big bump.

Here's how to attack it.

• Tie up all loose ends. Realise that the business world goes into hibernation over this period so loans, insurances and all of those evil necessities if not all fully organised will be a hassle to sort out over this period. Have all of these able to look after themselves for the next month. This action is a proactive way to reduce stress in advance.
• Keep active and watered. Just move and don't be a sloth. It is so common to see people go from being flat out and getting as much done as possible to stopping everything and parking themselves in one spot and stuffing everything and anything in their mouths that is available. Moving and drinking enough water if nothing else is going to keep your focus off the choices that will be in front of you and not mistake thirst for hunger which is a common occurrence.
• Keep your rhythm. Dancing is good for the activity levels but it's not what I mean here. I am talking about your circadian rhythms. Do this by going to bed and getting up the same time as normal. By going to bed later and getting up later you are throwing your bodies natural rhythms into chaos and you end up feeling even more lethargic and unmotivated. If you must, have an afternoon kip for an hour.

These three actions will keep you stress free, active and normal. How many people do you know possess those traits over the festive season?