Top Five Ways to De-stress After Christmas

Post

Subscribe

Posted 2014-12-17 by Philippa Stanford ⇒ follow

Christmas is a lot of fun what with the presents, the champagne, the parties and catching up with family and old friends. But it can also be stressful racing around to crowded shops, looking for convenient parking spaces, desperately searching for presents for someone who has everything, having kids complain or telling you that Christmas presents are free because Santa brings everything. And this is before we actually get to the big day itself which might involve Christmas meals at two different family events, catering to everyone's different tastes in the sweltering heat and dealing with that rellie who is completely tipsy by 10am.

So I think In January everyone deserves a few treats to help us all recover from Christmas. Here are my top five ways to de-stress after Christmas.

1. Go to the beach. Go for a day, for a week it doesn't matter, just get into your togs and get out of town. There is something about the soothing sounds of the ocean and that laid back beachy feel that is sure to make you forget about Christmas woes. Some of my favourite places include Peregian Beach and Mooloolaba .

Peregian is a lovely laid back community beach area with long stretches of unpopulated beach as well as a great community square with wonderful restaurants and cafes including the ever popular Baked Poetry Cafe for some indulgent baked treats.

Mooloolaba has a great beach for swimming and rock pools for exploring plus there are hundreds of cafes and restaurants just across the road from the beach. If you're really lucky one of my favourite shops Sapien Arts will be having a post Christmas sale and you can buy yourself some post Christmas presents.

2. Have a Massage. You probably have a favourite place but mine is Rainesforest Massage at Indooroopilly because these are hands down the best massages I have ever had. You also get to have an hour long spa afterwards. Unfortunately Rainesforest is moving at the end of January 2015 due to increased development and noise but it is still in full swing with plenty of specials and great deals until then. Following this it will be reopening in a different location.

3. Have a Facial. Again one of my favourite spots for a facial is Rainesforest but I have been to many great spots including The Beauty Boudoir at Toowong and Inspiring Beauty Medispa at Toowong and Paddington. If you are a bit strapped for cash following Christmas you can have a facial by a student in training at The Australian National College of Beauty in Fortitude Valley. The treatments are professional and much cheaper than a regular facial.

4. Treat Yourself to Yoga or Tai Chi. Take up a low impact physical activity such as Yoga or Tai Chi that helps calm the mind while you are toning your body.

There are lots of great places to do either. You can google for a provider near you but if you want to test it out before committing to a paid course there are a few free or cheap courses through the Brisbane City Council Active Parks Program that you can try. There are free classes in the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens and in many other parks around Brisbane . Similarly there are Tai Chi Qigong sessions in many parks throughout Brisbane.

5. See some live music. Almost every suburb has a local pub/tavern/restaurant that provides Sunday afternoon music for just the price of a few drinks. The Regatta Hotel, for instance has Pitcher Perfect Sundays in the Courtyard. Its a great atmosphere and a good chance to relax with friends over a few drinks and snacks.