An Essex charity has come up with a number of tips to help make your Christmas preparations go with the minimum of stress this year.

InterAct, an Essex based charity that works to enable local people who have mental health problems or learning disabilities to transform their lives, has developed the tips called Stress Busters.

Stress Buster 1

Lists - write separate lists for everything that needs to be done over Christmas e.g. food to be purchased, presents to be bought and cards to be sent. Start your lists with a couple of things that you have already achieved so that you can strike them off immediately!

Stress Buster 2

Reflect - spend some time thinking about how you have managed the last few Christmas seasons working out what worked well and what you would like to do differently this year. You cannot change the personalities of 'difficult' family members but you might be able to create diversions in order to alleviate family discord. A washing up rota could be a start!

Stress Buster 3

Take time - try to set aside enough time so that you can actually enjoy each task. Buying the food for Christmas lunch at the supermarket is not in itself that enjoyable but if you have time to enjoy a relaxing coffee in the caf beforehand and perhaps ask someone to help you unload the car when you get home the stress of the activity should be reduced.

Stress Buster 4

Do it yourself - the local library will have a host of books and journals featuring unusual and creative homemade presents and cards. Christmas can be expensive, in itself the biggest cause of stress at this time of year, plus we are not all great at handcraft however any kind of homemade card or present will no doubt be well received.

Stress Buster 5

Laugh - laugh at yourself, laugh with others, watch ONLY comedy on television! When you find yourself feeling anxious make a point of smiling into the mirror and wishing yourself a Merry Christmas!