SPEAKER_00 0:32

Welcome to the Mindful Drinking Advent Day 20. The countdown to Christmas has begun. There are only five days left till the big day itself. The kids have finished school. The in-laws are coming around for a visit or to stay. Don't worry, it won't last forever. And everything now is fully family focused when it comes to getting yourself through the next few days on up to the big day and beyond. And it's a lot of pressure. And you might be thinking, oh my god, I've got to deal with all of these people in my house all of the time. I have to tidy up after them, I have to entertain them, I have to feed them and water them and provide for them. There's so much to do. And if you are the primary caregiver in your home, it can feel like a relentless, never-ending onslaught of picking up after everybody else, but with added tinsel. And in times like that, it can be very easy to slip back into old habits and just think, oh, if I just had this drink, then it would take the edge off. And look, if you choose that you want to consume alcohol, then by all means go ahead. If you are having alcohol as a stress reliever, um, out of habit, or because you think it will make things better, then that is when I want you to take a moment and think about today's theme, which is uh as cheesy as it sounds, the gift of presence. That's with a C, not a T. Because what your family really needs is for you to be present, is for you to be with them, is for you to enjoy this festive season. And yes, I know, I know it's really difficult when the house is in an absolute mess, when the shopping hasn't been put away or even hasn't been done properly, when you've still got to run around and get gifts for Aunt Sally and Uncle Bob. You know, there's still so much to do. But if there's one bit of advice that I could give you that I think really would make the difference is to give yourself a break. It really doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if your kids have got the best gift, it doesn't matter if you spent the most money on your your your present for your other half, it doesn't matter if your mother-in-law really appreciates uh the effort that you've gone to to make the dinner. None of it matters. All that matters is that you are there, you are present, you are participating, you are joining in and you are enjoying yourself because when you do that, everybody else will fall in line as well. If they see you relaxing and having a good time, then your kids will relax and have a good time and be uh less demanding. Your other half will know that this is a time that you can just be together as a family. The in-laws will realize that they can just get up and go make their own cup of tea by themselves. So be kind to yourself. Give yourself a break. Don't try to be the perfect parent, the perfect spouse, the perfect host. This season, when the kids are being chaotic, instead of fighting a losing battle to calm children of any age at Christmas, join in with them. Why not? If they're jumping around and dancing to jingle bells or whatever crazy song is on the latest Christmas movie, then then join in and have a have a boogie with them. When the in-laws are pushing your button, just remember that in hopefully a few just a few days, they'll be gone. As the saying goes, this too shall pass. And give yourself, if you do need a bit of time out, then give yourself some micro escapes. My favorite is simply to go for a walk. A walk around the block does you wonders. If you have a park nearby, even better, go and get some fresh air in nature. Um, but you know, little things that you could do. Take the bins out and and and have two minutes outside to yourself, whatever it is. Uh, phone a friend who is also dealing with uh the family onslaught, have a little uh moan together and stand in solidarity of the fact that you are not gonna let this season go the same way as all the others. You are going to enjoy yourself and you're going to have a good time because damn it, you deserve it too. Now, today's drinks in your mindful email are a selection of fun, easy drinking, fruit forward um beers and ciders that can just add a little bit of levity and joy to your drinking experience. So do go and check those out. And I will see you tomorrow for day 21. And until then, you know how it goes. Cheers to a Christmas less intoxicated.