Holiday Stress and Tips to Lower It

Shopping, cooking, decorating, having family and friends over, can be stressful in itself, and yet, it all builds on top of our everyday stress. Holiday stress and tips to lower it can be an opportunity to rethink how you celebrate the holidays.

Use these tips to lower your stress during the holidays to make sure you have as enjoyable a holiday as possible.

1. Acknowledge that everything doesn’t need to be perfect. This is a big one. Some of us are better at this than others. So, what if the traditional holiday decorations don’t all make it up this year? Besides you, your in-law doesn’t count, who will know?
2. Start holiday planning and preparations now. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your shopping, wrapping gifts, and figuring out your meal plan. Spreading holiday tasks out over longer periods of time means you’ll have less stress when the holidays do arrive.
3. Take shortcuts to save time. Figure out easier ways to do things that will provide more time for other holiday tasks and activities. Being creative in gift buying is a way to go. Such as, getting gift cards as holiday gifts. Also, think about supporting your favorite restaurant and buying some of your holiday dishes from them to reduce your meal stress.
4. Choose what you want to do. Ponder what the holidays truly mean to you and then express that meaning in your celebrations. Avoid getting caught up in the commercialism that has taken over the entire holiday season.
5. Remember to add in time to enjoy yourself. If you are the one in charge of the holidays it is hard to remember to take time for yourself. It is important to take a deep breath, relax, and know that it will all be ok. And don’t forget to smile once in a while too.

Make the decision to reduce your holiday stress. By shedding the urge to be perfect, beginning holiday planning earlier, using shortcuts to save time, and adding in time for yourself, you’ll bring your stress level way down.

Think about what you really want the holidays to mean to you and your family. Then, you can let go of expectations based on the past and really enjoy your time together. And ultimately, isn’t that what the holidays are for?

If these tips helped you lower your holiday stress, think about how to adapt them, and use them to lower your stress throughout the year. If you would like help developing strategies to use throughout the year to reduce your stress, reach out.

Wishing you the best of holidays!