Style tips: You deserve a break, so just relax

The Christmas break should be a time for relaxing and enjoying yourself. Indulging in good food, lapping up the summer weather and enjoying the company of loved ones are essential to a good holiday. By the time we've switched off our computers on the last day of work, however, the pre-Christmas rush has left many of us in a state of mayhem before we've even had the chance to unwind. The usual seasonal stress - caused by the last-minute shopping or the panic over what to serve for Christmas lunch - can leave us feeling less than enthusiastic about Christmas cheer.
Here are a few style points that the Simply You team will be following to make the most of our long-awaited Christmas break.
Switch off
For now, work is over for the year. Turn off your mobile phone, organise an out-of-office automatic email reply and wish your colleagues a Merry Christmas. Thinking about work over the break will not only create unnecessary stress for you, but could also impact on relationships and family time. If it is absolutely impossible for you to give up work completely over the break then diary in allocated timeslots of an hour or two where you focus solely on work and nothing else. Once this time is over, switch off and go back to enjoying time with your friends and family.
Eat and be jolly
The Christmas-New Year period is a once-a-year time of indulgence, so falling off the healthy-eating wagon should not be considered a sin. Come Christmas, you're more than entitled to enjoy an extra piece of cake or have another glass of champagne. Everything in moderation is a good rule to follow, but don't create stress by punishing yourself if you indulge in a little pavlova.
The New Year is for resolutions: make them realistic so you can stick to them and succeed. Think along the lines of healthy eating for life, rather than dieting. Remember, everyone is allowed a treat once in a while and, if you fall off the wagon, get back on - it's as easy as that.
'Me' time

Whether you enjoy reading or running, take some time out over your break to relax and pamper yourself. Christmas is a time for family. However, it's important that once you've finished running around after everyone else that you take some well-deserved time out for yourself. Here at Simply You , we like to spend a little quiet time reading so we've got our "must-read" book lists well prepared ready for the summer ahead.
Whatever it is that helps you relax, make time for "you". This year has been hectic and you deserve an enjoyable and relaxing break.
Got a fashion or style topic you'd like us to cover? Email Natalie at editor@simplyyou.co.nz