Top Tips for Festive-Season Survival

Top Tips for Festive-Season Survival

by on March 6, 2021
Articles

Essential handy hints for stressful times

The festive season is upon us and whether you are celebrating or not, things tend to speed up and become a little more frantic and stressful. So here are a few of my favorite suggestions to ease the load.

Expectations: Try to tailor your expectations to the situation you find yourself in. This may seem pretty obvious but we can tend to build ourselves up, believing things have to be a certain way and if they’re not, it is a disaster. Most people who are sharing festivities will need to compromise – everybody has their own idea of how things should be. Equally if you’re alone you need to recognize this and plan accordingly; cater for yourself and give yourself the sort of day you want. Do not give yourself expectations that can only result in failure and disappointment.

Share the load: No one is required to take full responsibility for an event that involves several people. Ask for help, whilst recognizing that if it is given, others may have a different take on how to accomplish it.

Be kind: It is important to look after yourself and others. Things are bound to go wrong so try to see the bigger picture. If you are feeling overloaded say so. Being self-sacrificial is not good for you or for others. You will become stressed or unwell and this benefits no-one in the long run. Know your limits and try to stick to them.

Frame of reference: Everyone, even those who grew up together, has a different take on the “best” way to celebrate. Try to be relaxed about how things roll out especially if others are volunteering to do certain tasks. Embrace difference and you will get a broader more diverse experience which brings its own rewards.

Take time out: It is important to safeguard your energy at this time of year. Remember to keep up your regular exercise and good eating habits. Try not to overload your body by eating or drinking too much as this will tend to impact negatively on your health and mood. This is particularly important at stressful times. Also, you need regular sleep and some time for yourself. A good habit (for life!) is to stop all screen activities for an hour before bed and ban electronics in your bedroom – just saying!

Cherish those around you: Relatives can be demanding or tiresome but they’re also your family and you’re lucky to have them. Make sure to see good friends over the holiday period if you need to dilute the effect of your family gathering. If your home becomes too claustrophobic or too busy, take yourself for a walk.

Set limits: The festivities don’t last long but make sure that you don’t become a hotel or a restaurant over the holiday period. If you only want people to stay two days, say so. If you don’t want anyone to stay, say so. If you don’t want to cook, ask for help, buy takeaway or have bread and cheese! Set your comfort limits and stick to them. If you don’t, only you will suffer.

Laugh: Don’t take things too seriously. Most things won’t matter a week from when they occur. If they will, then say so. Try to inject humor into situations, it can lighten the mood and release tension. There is usually a funny side to most situations and laughing is good for you.

If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.

Harpreet Saini
Harpreet Saini
Consultant Psychologist - English, Hindi & Punjabi
CDA Licensed Psychologist - 13+ Years
Dr. Mohammed Fried Ahmed
Dr. Mohammed Fried Ahmed
Clinical Psychologist - Arabic
PHD Psychotherapy - 6+ Years
Khansa Abd Almalik
Khansa Abd Almalik
Clinical Psychologist - Arabic
PHD Psychotherapy - 6+ Years
Prerna Siroya
Prerna Siroya
Counselling Psychologist - English & Hindi
CDA Licensed Psychologist - 4+ Years
Dina Alqedra
Dina Alqedra
Clinical Psychologist - Arabic & English
DHA Licensed Psychologist - 6+ Years
Nuzhat Basheer
Nuzhat Basheer
Consultant psychologist - English, Hindi & Tamil
CDA Licensed Psychologist, M.Sc. in Psychology - 10+ Years
Vidushi Sukam
Vidushi Sukam
Consultant Psychologist - English, Hindi & Punjabi
CDA Licensed Psychologist | RCI Licensed Rehabilitation Psychologist - 13+ Years
Olena Taleski
Olena Taleski
Counselling Psychologist - English and Russian
Master Degree in Psychology - 13+ Years
Simrah Hamdulay
Simrah Hamdulay
Consultant psychologist - English and Hindi
CDA Licensed Psychologist, MSc in Child and Adolescent Psychology - 3+ Years
Javaria Zahra
Javaria Zahra
Counselling Psychologist - English, Urdu and Hindi
MD/ MS/ MPhil in Applied Psychology - 16+ Years
Fatima Altaf
Fatima Altaf
Counselling Psychologist - Urdu, Hindi and English
Msc. Psychology - 8+ Years
Aarhie Kaushik
Aarhie Kaushik
Clinical Psychologist - English & Hindi
Msc. Psychology - 8+ Years
Dr. Febna Moorkath
Dr. Febna Moorkath
Psychiatric Social Worker - English & Malayalam
PhD & M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work - 10+ Years
Dr. Fatemeh Abdi
Dr. Fatemeh Abdi
Clinical Psychologist - English and Persian
PhD. in Psychology - 20+ Years
Dr. Azizreza Ghasemzadehi
Dr. Azizreza Ghasemzadehi
Counselling Psychologist - Farsi & English
PhD in Psychology & Education of Exceptional Children - 20+ Years
Saima Khan
Saima Khan
Clinical Psychologist - English, Urdu, Punjabi & Pashto
Ph.D. Scholar in Clinical Psychology - 6 Years
Kinan Ali
Kinan Ali
Counselling Psychologist - Arabic and English
PhD. in Psychology - 6 Years
Dr. Abdelaziz Osman
Dr. Abdelaziz Osman
Consultant Psychiatrist - Arabic and English
MD, AB, Msc, Cert - 20+ Years
Naeema Ali
Naeema Ali
Psychologist - Arabic & English

Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.

Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.

She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.

She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.

Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.

Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.

Area of interest:

  • Psycho-oncology

  • CBT

  • Psychometric Assessments

  • Children, Adults and Family therapy

Qualification and Membership:

  • Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin

  • Licensed by Community Development Authority

Graduation in Psychology, (Phd) - 30 Years
Dr. Mohammed Bardi
Dr. Mohammed Bardi
Consultant Psychiatrist - Arabic, English

Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Area of interest:

  • Mood disorders

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)

Qualification and Membership:

  • MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).

  • ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007

  • ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010

  • ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011

  • ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015

  • BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY

  • ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY

  • ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015

  • BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010

  • CDA) Licensed Psychologist

Therapeutic Approach:

  • At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Substance use disorders

  • Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders

  • Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)

  • Personality disorders

  • Cognitive disorders including Dementia

  • Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)

  • Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct

  • disorders and ADHD

M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) - 15 years

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