Fuelled by copious mugs of Baileys and far too many mince pies, December sees us eschew the usual social etiquette and embrace a “f**k it, it’s Christmas” mentality. When it comes to the office Christmas party though, the fear of acting the wrong way or feeling awkward amongst colleagues, leaves anxiety levels at an all-time high. A 2017 study conducted by CV-Library revealed that more than a quarter of professionals (27.3%) dread a seasonal shindig, and we could all do with diffusing the tension surrounding them.

Try… Keeping initial stress levels low by swapping sweet festive treats for dark chocolate. Sugar is a trigger for cortisol release, whereas dark chocolate has been shown to reduce cortisol levels. If small talk is a cause of your anxiety, then having a script of safe conversation topics on standby could be the key to finding some party calm. Finally, craft a back-up escape plan around a plausible excuse, in case you need to leave early without causing an uproar. There’s nothing wrong or shameful with departing in favour of cosy pyjamas and a festive film – f**k it, it’s Christmas!