The holidays are a time of love, togetherness and – who are we kidding? – stress. Whether you’re traveling to or hosting your holiday gathering, you’re sure to need some major holiday stress relief. The biggest causes of holiday stress are relationships, finances and physical demands. Here are 12 tips to help you cope with all three so you, too, can avoid holiday stress.
1. Plan a Buget! Between gifts, travel, food and entertainment, it’s easy to overspend during the holidays if you aren’t careful. It takes about four months for the average credit-card user to pay off holiday-related bills. Don’t let finances stress you out. Simply stick to a budget. Figure out how much money you can afford to spend on a holiday, then don’t spend a penny more.
For gift-giving, it may be helpful to decide how much money you can spend on each person, then put that amount of cash directly into an envelope with the person’s name on it. When the envelope is empty, your shopping ends. No exceptions.
2. Focus on One Thing at a Time! Instead of trying to do everything at once, separate your tasks and tackle them one at a time. That way, you will be less likely to get sidetracked or have your mind wander. It also helps to have a list of all of your tasks so you can mark off each one as you complete it (Of course I brought up the to-do list, it's THAT important!). Plus, you’ll feel a greater sense of accomplishment when you can see all the things you have finished.
3. Simplify!!! If you feel pulled in too many directions during the holiday season (places to go and people to see), cut back on all of your outings. For example, many people’s Christmas stress stems from trying to juggle too many activities: office holiday parties, church events, Christmas caroling, tree-lighting ceremonies, pictures with Santa Claus, the Nutcracker ballet. Let each member of your family pick one or two activities that mean the most to them and save everything else for next year.
Find ways to simplify your holiday shopping as well. For example, a few weeks before the holiday, take a personal day at work and do all of your holiday shopping. Try to do it all at one shopping center, if possible, to eliminate the time and stress of travel. Or do all of your shopping from home via the Internet.
4. Say NO! Don’t let anyone pressure or guilt you into taking on more than you can handle. Simply decline, nicely but firmly, activities or engagements that you don’t have the time or energy to undertake. If you can’t say no (for example, to your boss), cut something else out of your schedule to make sure that you don’t become overbooked or overstressed.
5. Hold Your Tongue. The holidays are a time of family togetherness – and all the family drama that goes with it. When family members cram together under one roof, it is not uncommon for tempers to flare, especially with the added holiday stress. Keep the peace in your household by setting a good example. Practice forgiveness and accept your family members for who they are. And if that doesn’t work, remember what your mother always said: “If you can’t say something nice …”
6. Watch what you eat. We all have a tendency to overindulge during the holidays with sweets, fats, carbohydrates and alcohol. Unfortunately, the more fats and sugar you eat, the less energy you have, and you end up feeling even more stressed and run-down. Fill up on healthy snacks before you go to a holiday party. You’ll be less tempted to overeat on a full stomach. To keep your energy up during the hustle and bustle of holiday preparation, try eating mini-meals throughout the day.
7. Break a SWEAT!!!! Exercise is one of the best ways to help your body beat stress. But when you’re running around with a “to do” list as long as Santa’s, hitting the gym is usually the last thing on your mind. Just as it is important to maintain your normal diet during the holidays, it is essential to keep up with your normal exercise routine.
If you can’t squeeze in that hour-long cardio class, take the dog on a quick jog around the block or throw the football around in the backyard with your nieces and nephews. Yoga is a great exercise for holiday stress relief: You can stretch your muscles and relax your mind at the same time. Don't forget those shorter interval trainings like Turbo Fire's HIIT's or Shaun T.s Fast & Furious, burn a ton of calories in a short time.
8. Set aside some "me" time. Take a minimum of 15 minutes every day to kick back and relax by yourself. Take a walk around the block, sip a cup of hot tea or listen to some soothing music. A little alone time will help you recharge your batteries and put the rest of your holiday stressors in perspective.
9. Embrace your emotions. The holidays can be particularly stressful if you have recently lost someone you love or have gone through a divorce, or if you are spending the holidays alone. Recognize that your feelings of sadness and loneliness are normal. Allow yourself to express your emotions openly. Don’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s a holiday.
10. Give Back. Traditionally, many holidays are about giving. One great way of coping with stress is to give back to your community. Buy a gift for your favorite local charity, or donate money to a charity in a friend’s name. Volunteer at your local nursing home or soup kitchen. Helping others can fill you with a sense of joy like nothing else, especially if you can’t be with your own family during the holidays.
11. Keep your expectations realistic. Your family probably isn’t like the Cleavers, and your holiday probably won’t end up like a TV special. In real life, problems happen. Maybe you overcooked the turkey. Maybe your sister couldn’t make the drive up. Maybe you didn’t get through all the things on your “to do” list. Don’t sweat the small stuff. The holidays are a time to celebrate and give thanks for everyone and everything that you have.
12. Get Help. If you find that your feelings of sadness and anxiety last for more than a few weeks, if you notice that your eating and sleeping habits have drastically changed, or if you feel unable or unwilling to go about your normal daily activities, you could be dealing with more than just holiday stress. You might be suffering from depression. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor or a mental-health professional. He or she can help you identify the root of your problem and figure out how to resolve it. Your doctor can also provide useful tips for coping with stress and depression in the future.
Between your budget, your family and your physical demands, you have enough on your plate during the holidays without having to deal with added stress. Use these tips on coping with stress to help put you back in the holiday spirit. Remember: You may not be able to make your holiday perfect, but you can certainly make it unforgettable. Go ahead and check “eliminate holiday stress” off your “to do” list.
