Do fairy lights bring you out in hives? Does the sight of a Christmas tree brightly adorned, bring you out in palpitations and send you delving into the bottom of your hand or man-bag looking for your battered old Christmas list?
Are you perhaps a little Christmas-phobic?
There are many who are Christmas professionals.
I have countless friends who don't feel right unless they have their Christmas shopping done by September 1st. (You know who you are!)
Those lucky people so planned to the hilt, they could cope with a UFO landing on Christmas day. Those born with military-organisational ability running through their arteries.
I alas, do not fall into this category, my Christmas list is in the bin and I have found little excitement buying Christmas wrapping paper..... but there is hope for the phobic........we have a 10-point plan!
1.Apply Oxygen. Anxiety, constipation, dizziness, sleeplessness, recurring colds are all signs of stress.
(There are many GP's and online forums if you need additional support)...
In addition you can employ a few yoga tricks to keep yourself calm. Every time you feel overwhelmed take yourself off to a quiet room, sit or lie down with your eyes closed for 10minutes and take long slow deep breaths, simply listening to your breath.
Picture yourself in your favourite place, and focus on the smells, sounds, colours and textures.
Use oils, we use lots of wonderful scented oils and candles in the studio and they have now infiltrated my house and bedroom to help us breathe and sleep easy at night too.
Try citrus oils to elevate your mood and peppermint to help open up the airways.
2.Consider ordering some hampers from local farm shops online. These are quality products, which are specific to your tastes and you do not have to battle into town and pay for parking. Shop online!
3.Delegate your jobs, split large tasks into smaller jobs. Give children a role so they feel included or important. Ask teenagers to entertain younger children or have a friend to visit. If you run out of time do not worry that the ironing didn't get done or there weren't 12 different puddings!
4.Whether you have 5 minutes or 5 days, find time to focus on yourself... Christmas is a time of giving and receiving after all...what do you enjoy?
Walking the dog, soaking in the bath, having a massage or your nails painted... simply lighting a candle can be a totally relaxing experience....
5.Time for a spoil! Buy yourself a gift because you deserve it. Think about reviving your eyes and body. If you have tired eyes pop on some cucumber, lemon or cold teabags.
My grandmother showed me a wonderful refreshing remedy. You simply rub your feet in olive oil and then wrap them in cling film. Leave the cling film on for a few hours and when you take it off your feet feel amazing!
For a home body-scrub in the bath try salt, brown sugar or Epsom salts in coconut or almond oil with lavender or rosemary.
6.Clear out your make up bag, your cupboards and your old drawers (not pants)
7.Check the last postage dates for the UK and abroad make a point of sending your Christmas cards now!
8.Order well in advance for everything on Christmas day from your seasonal meats to your taxis for all the festive social events...Stock up now on essentials such as paracetamol, indigestion remedies, batteries, milk, bread and tea bags...
9.Find some fun games for Christmas day to occupy your children and friends and hopefully take the pressure off you for a little while.
10.And last but not least have an emergency Christmas gift ready for any unexpected visitors, a generic present, gift vouchers, toiletries and chocolates, can always be used or eaten if you don't get to use them on your unexpected visitor.
If you and I can manage to follow these 10 steps we are just sure to have an easy, relaxing Christmas Day! Good luck!