The holidays can be a season filled with joy and family bliss, but it can also be a season of overwhelming stress and frustration. This season, follow these five tips to beat holiday stress and allow yourself some relaxing, enjoyable fun.
1) Lower your expectations
Forget perfection and stop obsessing over getting everything done and doing it all! Focus your time and energy on your family and forget about the small imperfections like a cluttered house or perfect decorations. Instead, expect minor imperfections and troubles and focus on having a good time with those that you love instead. The holidays will pass and life will return to normal. This holiday season, take it easy and enjoy the important ones in your life.
2) Stick with your daily routine
Prioritize the activities that are important to you on a regular day. Make sure that you take time to do the things that you enjoy, such as working out, attending your book club, or your weekly Thursday night dinner with your best friend. Don’t focus on squeezing in holiday events until after you make sure you have scheduled the activities your normally do and enjoy. Don’t forget to take care of the important needs and self-care just because it is the holiday season.
3) Stay on a budget
There are a ton of different gift ideas that you can give that don’t cost any money at all. Get creative and think of personalized gifts you can give to those you love. Some different ideas may be a photo album filled with family pictures of different adventures you’ve been on, make a video of the grandkids for the grandparents, make coupons redeemable for backrubs or a chore, or adopt a star in someone’s name.
4) Do less and enjoy more
It is important to not over-dedicate yourself to pleasing others this holiday. You can’t possible attend every event or holiday party. Instead, make sure to say “no” when you are feeling overwhelmed or time-consumed. People will understand your time obligation and need to take care of yourself. Prioritize the events that you really want to go to and make plans to attend those.
5) Remember the reason for the season
The holiday season is meant for you to be able to take the time to reaffirm what and who is important to you, the significance of your community, and can be a time of spiritual renewal. Don’t forget to spend time with those that matter most, find someone in need that you might be able to help, and think about the upcoming year and how you want it to go. The holiday season can be a time of rejuvenation and renewal if we allow it.
