Your Festive Survival Plan

Here’s how to harness the power of your mind, natural remedies and clever strategies to get through the silly season in sound mind.

The kids are screaming, you haven’t slept for days, there are still gifts to buy and the in-laws are about to arrive. Sometimes, Christmas can make you feel anything but merry. Step in Hollywood health guru Sara-Chana Silverstein. Author of new book Moodtopia – tame your moods, de-stress and find balance using herbal remedies, aromatherapy and more (Lifelong Books, £13.99) the celebrity homoeopath, herbalist and mother of seven, is an expert in helping stabilise moods. In her new book, she uses natural remedies and self-help tools to combat stress and promote peace of mind and wellbeing. We asked Silverstein to share some top tips to help you survive the season.

1 BOOST YOUR PARTY CONFIDENCE

Feeling intimidated about talking to a roomful of people you don’t know at a party? Try listening instead: it will benefit both of you. ‘Take advice from the old saying “We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we speak,” says Silverstein. ‘Really listening to people around you is harder than it sounds because most people are busy thinking about what they want to say next.’ Try Silverstein's handy party-survival tips:

Use the person’s name. People feel honoured if you take the time to learn their name. They’ll trust you more and it will then be easier for you to read them. w Do more listening than talking. When we listen with curiosity, rather than to reply, we listen for what’s behind the words.

Talk more about the other than yourself. Think of yourself as a spy gathering important information. Allow the other person to give it to you.