Yahoo Lifestyle 
5 ways to beat the festive fatigue this Christmas
Much has been said about how stressful the festive period can be, let alone after the last few years we've had.
And if you've been working through most of December and already have a host of social outings under your belt, the prospect of the upcoming Christmas weekend might be a bit daunting.
So if you are feeling run down during the party season, the team at Essential Living has shared with Yahoo Lifestyle five mindful ways you can revitalise your mind and body over this weekend to maintain those positive vibes.
1. Meditate
Mindfulness meditation has a number of positive health benefits, including improving your immune system function, improving interpersonal relationships, and reducing stress and anxiety.
Meditating is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is find someplace quiet and relaxing, and dedicate a minimum of 15 minutes to freeing your mind of thoughts, deliberately letting each thought go until you achieve a pure state of mindfulness.
Whilst it may take some practice to get used to the process, once you do, you'll start noticing yourself more hyper-focused in everyday situations.
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2. Don't over socialise
After missing out on a year’s worth of socialising last year, it is understandable that many will want to make up for lost time.
Whilst you may think you have the stamina to do three or four nights back-to-back, it can actually really put a strain on your body, and take you numerous days to feel revitalised again.
Essentially, don’t feel like you have to go out every night during Christmas. There are many other ways to enjoy the festive season like watching Christmas films, baking and of course, wrapping your presents for the big day.
3. Read
Particularly for those who stare at screens all day, your brain can start to feel tired and lacking in creativity. Therefore, reading a piece of fiction or perhaps something related to your job before a meeting will help reactivate your brain.
Even if it is on the train or bus on the way home from work, focusing on a book or picking up a newspaper instead of staring at your phone will really help your brain feel stimulated.
Also, the more often you read, the more accustomed your brain will become at storing information, improving your intelligence.
4. Go for a walk
Exercise is proven to have a positive effect on your mental health, providing more oxygen-rich blood to your brain, giving you direct and temporarily greater mental stimulation.
Regular walks during the Christmas period will allow your body to continuously release endorphins which triggers a positive feeling to the body and help to stabilise your mood and increase focus and attention.
Whilst many of us may not feel like going to the gym, you will be glad to know that researchers claim regular brisk walking is the best exercise for maintaining a healthy weight.
5. Breathing technique
Deep breathing (the kind used in meditation) will help you focus and feel energised throughout your day. Try to conduct breathing exercises whenever you start to feel tired or stressed.
Sit or lie in a comfortable position, keeping your legs and spine straight and place one hand on your abdomen and one on your chest.
Then inhale slowly and deeply through your nose and into your abdomen, until your lungs are full.
Pause for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through the mouth, making a quiet whooshing sound, until your lungs are empty. Repeat the process until you start to feel calmer and more mentally prepared to continue your day.
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