This time of year can feel very overwhelming. In addition to your usual workload there are parties, presents and family politics to manage. There are Christmas cards to write (or to feel guilty about not writing), festive food to order, cook and consume.

You may have the additional juggle of childcare to arrange or muddle through when school finishes and, despite the convenience of online shopping, there's then the added 'will it, won't it' arrive dilemma.

So I'd love to share with you some top tips on staying on top of the overwhelm at this time of year.

1. Sleep - try and have a couple of nights a week where you are in bed by 10pm at the latest. Having 7+ hours of sleep can really help you manage stress, anxiety and overwhelm. Your body gets a chance to rest and restore (and digest) properly too.

2. Breathe - when you feel a wave of anxiety or overwhelm starting to hit take a few deep breaths - really deep down into your belly - imagine you're trying to fill your lungs. 10 times can be a dream but even one or two can make a big difference.

3. Write a list - every morning write a list of all that needs to be done, just like Santa. And then take a moment to work out what is necessary and what is a 'nice to have'. Sometimes we have to take a step back and slow down our productivity.

4. Be present - it's not easy when your head is full of what needs to be done next but really dropping into the moment can help. It can help just to focus on one thing - the look of your child's face as they play, the lights on the Christmas tree, the sun on the grass outside, the feel of your feet on the ground or even the temperature of the air on your skin.

5. Step away - ever since I was a child I have found Christmas Day overwhelming. Nowadays everyone recognises that I need to have a little time out. Just stepping away from the crowds and busy-ness can help bring you back into the present again and appreciate all you have. Getting outside can do wonders!

6. Hydrate - a glass of water can solve many ills - headaches, tummy gripes, hunger pangs. It's sometimes hard to do this in the winter but it's SO SO good for you. Grab a festive glass and sip away.

I hope you find these tips helpful - when overwhelm hits steps 1, 4, 5 & 6 could really help.

Have a wonderful stress free Christmas.

Lesley