Five Cost-Free Secrets to a Stressless Festive Season

December 7, 2022

By Barefoot Coaching

It’s no secret that the festive season can be demanding, with studies even highlighting that the ‘Christmas hormone’ can cause significant fatigue. Combine that with the seemingly never-ending to-do list, and the ‘holiday’ quickly becomes an endurance test.

But in a time where inflation stood at 11.1% in October, meaning that the affordability of goods and services is at an all-time low, the pressure of Christmas has arguably never felt greater.

In light of this, Barefoot Coaching, who have released a brand-new survival kit for navigating the Christmas chaos unscathed, share their five top tips on how to avoid the Christmas rat race and ensure the season is in fact one filled with peace and calm, and most importantly low expense.

Messages of joy and hope

Have you ever noticed that Christmas card messages tend to focus on emotions and feelings rather than tangible gifts or goods? When you receive a card, you have the reassurance that this person has been thinking of you and has even taken the time to write a few lines to show they care. Schedule 10-15 minutes a day to either reach out to a friend via phone or text or write a letter or card to someone you care about to let them know you’re thinking of them. We guarantee this small act of kindness will go a lot further than the box of shortbread you were originally going to buy them!

Know when to say no, it’s your Christmas too

Prioritising your wellbeing is vital for a calm and stress-free Christmas. You’re likely wearing multiple hats during the festive season and organising lots of different elements (shopping, events, wrapping, kids, friends, family, the list goes on…). So being empowered to say no to the things that don’t light you up is vital. Don’t want to go to your neighbour’s festive drinks when they don’t speak to you the rest of the year? Say no. Don’t want to run around picking up gifts for your siblings to give to your parents (you know, after you sent messages a month ago reminding them)? Say no.

Don’t take responsibility for everyone else’s enjoyment

Planning in joy is a part of Christmas that often gets forgotten in all the ‘doing’! How about making a Christmas bucket list of things that bring you joy. Who do you want to visit? (Or not!) Do you need a mince pie and a gingerbread latte in your favourite cafe with a book for half an hour of peace and quiet to recharge? Do it! Don’t want to spend your whole Christmas cooking 25 different dishes for everyone’s individual preferences? Don’t! Delegate dishes to all your guests to bring with them and make it part of the fun! Make your own personal wellbeing list, check it twice and enjoy every second of the things that you like this festive season!

Prioritise movement

Get up, get out and get moving. In the midst of the festive period, it’s very easy to forget to hit pause, breathe and focus on movement. Christmas is a time of indulgence, which can often make us feel sluggish, and yes, we know that exercise is normally the first thing to slip when our lives get busy! Make a promise to yourself on 1 December (or sooner if you like) to commit to at least 15 minutes of exercise a day. This could be a walk around the block, a yoga class on YouTube or a FaceTime workout with a friend. Simple exercises can make a huge difference when you’re feeling emotionally or physically exhausted around the Christmas period, but the good news is, they can easily be slotted into your working day.

Stop keeping up with the Jones’

Do what feels good for you, not what you think you ‘should be doing’. At this time of year, it is really easy to look at what others are doing and put extra pressure on yourself to have the perfect Christmas, buy the perfect gifts or attend every sparkling event. Remember, you do not have to do this. This is a moment to consider what is really important to you and focus on that, not on keeping up with others (especially on social media where everything looks perfect, but the reality can be quite different!). Knowing your own core values, and staying true to yourself, not only feels good but it takes the pressure to “perform” for other people out of it, and that’s really the secret to a calm Christmas.

Curious About Coaching?

Discover our coach training programme and experience coaching in action. Join a free taster session and see what’s possible in a safe, supportive, and no-obligation environment.

Book Your Free Taster

Get to Know Barefoot Coaching

Making the world a brighter place through exceptional coaching.

ABOUT US

Andy Chandler

Chief Executive Office - MBA, PCC

Barefoot

How Can We Help?

WORKPLACE COACHING

EXISTING COACH COURSES

SHOP FOR TOOLKITS

Most Recent

How Do I Know If Becoming a Coach Is Right for Me?

How Do I Become a Professional Coach? The Honest Answer

How do I Choose the Right Coach Training Programme?

What is Coaching? A Barefoot Guide

How Much Does a Coach Earn?

Two women sat having a coaching conversation during their Barefoot Training

ICF Level 2

ICF Accredited Coach Training

Develop your coaching skills with ICF Level 2 accredited training — blending tools, psychology, and practice, grounded in real coaching experience. Open to all backgrounds, with University of Chester options.

Office environment with trained Barefoot Coaches

Workplace Coaching

Our workplace coaching offer develops leaders and teams through practical tools, psychology, and real coaching expertise — building cultures of trust, resilience, and performance across every organisation.

A woman is sat on a leather back sofa. She is looking over at her colleague who is sitting to the left of her.

Leader as Coach

Our Leader as Coach programme equips leaders with coaching skills to inspire, engage, and empower. Blending theory with practice, it transforms everyday conversations into opportunities for growth.

A team of 6 sit around a table engaged in conversation. The man at the head of the able has his laptop open and one of the women at the table has a table. She is smiling as everyones eyes focus on her.

Team Coaching Practitioner Programme

This dynamic programme blends advanced learning on group and team dynamics with practical coaching experience — empowering you to coach teams confidently. Accredited with 40 ICF CCE points.

Certificate in Coaching for Grief & Loss

This pioneering programme builds the skills, insight, and empathy to coach clients through grief and loss in all its forms. Accredited with 40 ICF CCE points.

Coach running an online coach supervision session

Certificate in Coaching Supervision

This university approved programme equips experienced coaches to become professional supervisors, guiding others with reflective, ethical, and practice-based methods. Accredited with 40 ICF CCE points.

A woman is sat across from another woman at a small round table. They are having a conversation.

Coaching Supervision

Our open group supervision offers practising coaches a reflective, structured space to refresh, align ethically, and gain perspective. Put 10 hours of Coaching Supervision towards ICF Core Competencies.

Two woman are sat at an office table surrounded by large windows. They are deep in conversation.

121 Coaching

Our bespoke one-to-one coaching unlocks personal and professional potential, fostering lasting transformation through a trusting, confidential relationship — far beyond a transactional experience.

Women in Life and Leadership

This transformative programme supports women in organisations to thrive professionally and personally, overcoming barriers like people-pleasing and impostor syndrome while challenging norms and unlocking growth.

Leader as Coach

Our Leader as Coach programme equips leaders with coaching skills to inspire, engage, and empower. Blending theory with practice, it transforms everyday conversations into opportunities for growth.

Group Coaching

This dynamic short course equips accredited coaches to facilitate group coaching, supporting shared learning in safe, confidential environments. Accredited with 14 ICF CCE points.

Team & Group Coaching

Our team and group coaching programmes help organisations unlock collective potential, fostering collaboration, challenge, and shared learning — complementing one-to-one coaching for systemic impact.

A woman is sat at a desk with her laptop open. She is writing at a notebook with a pen. She is wearing large thick framed glassed and a denim shirt.

Coaching Skills Foundation Programme

A welcoming, foundation-level course introducing coaching techniques for personal and professional growth. No prior experience needed — open to anyone curious to explore coaching.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Chris Goldson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Barefoot more than lived up to its fantastic reputation when I experienced the course. My 5 months with them was one of the most significant and meaningful things I have done in my career of over 30 years. Solid and well planned content, exceptional tutors, and the chance to grow and learn alongside my wonderful cohort of fellow Barefooters. I've been able to bring valuable new skills to my business. Thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Carolyn Deveney 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I knew as soon as I found Barefoot that it was the organisation for me to train with. They share my values and ethos. They did not disappoint! The course was one of the most positive experiences of my life. The tutors, the integrity and care woven through like a golden thread, the approach, methods and thoroughness, amount of practice time, the cohort - all perfect. I left feeling well equipped to go out into the world to coach with a great range of tools and techniques under my belt, and a desire to develop more of my own. I have built lasting connections and relationships with some wonderful people. I enrolled on the post-grad certificate to further develop and fine tune my skills. I cannot recommend Barefoot enough. Thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alison B 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just found my ‘Barefoot Coaching’ coaching cards from 2012, they are so valuable even after 9 years!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Duncan S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An amazing 12 days with the Barefoot Team working on Personal and Business Coaching. The tutors are incredibly knowledgeable, the theory wide-ranging and the practical sessions varied and valuable. I'd recommend this course and the Barefoot Team to anyone.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sandra Whiles 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I chose Barefoot to consolidate my training as a coach in 2016.  Everyone I spoke to beforehand about coach training providers said that Barefoot was the only choice - and they were so right Great tutors and course materials. Brilliant challenge and support. Excellent venues. You are made to feel part of Barefoot from day one . Lots of folk have said it, but life changing is the only way I can describe my experiences with Barefoot.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andy Follows 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently completed the taught modules of the Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching with Barefoot. I wanted to be exposed to a broad range of coaching ideas, to have plenty of time to practice coaching and receive feedback and to meet like minded people who shared my passion. I was not disappointed. I loved every minute of the modules and was sad when the programme finally came to an end. Our cohort has been amazing and we continue to engage with each other via webinars and get togethers organised by ourselves. At no point in the process did I have any feeling that Barefoot was interested in selling places on this or other programmes. It was all about getting a good fit between you as a coach and their offerings. Great people. Very professionally run. Great materials. A good range of tutors from different backgrounds. All delivered with wonderful warmth and passion. Can't recommend highly enough.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Emma Kearin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an amazing program, it has changed my life, I didn't know what I was going to use the training for or how it would change things for me or the people around me.  It has proved the best decision yet 😁
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Teresa Roberts 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I trained with Barefoot Coaching and can highly recommend the course. The breadth of learning and approaches, together with the great tutors and a very supportive cohort of students allowed me to challenge my existing thinking and develop as a coach in a way that was authentic to me. Completing the essays for Chester University also offered the opportunity to underpin the experiential learning with some academic rigor. The Barefoot team are all warm, friendly people and a pleasure to be around.
  
 
  
  
 
 
      Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

ICF Level 2