There is nothing better than the holidays and all that they bring: family, friends, food, decorations.
But for many people who have a lot on their plates already (work responsibilities, caring for aging parents or children), this time of year can be stressful as well as joyful.
In this blog post we will discuss 5 simple tips to help you enjoy the holiday season without feeling stressed out!
1. Keep it simple...
To keep it simple, you will need to take stock of what needs to be done and prioritize.
The best way to do this is by using a planner or calendar that works for your schedule!
Then you can plan out the big things like decorating, baking cookies with friends or attending one last work holiday party before winter.
2. Share responsibilities...
The holidays can be a time when you are doing more than usual for others.
Why not ask family members or friends to help out? This will ensure that you have some spare moments!
If everyone chips in, it won't feel like such a burden and the workload will be shared around. After all helping and sharing are what the holidays are all about.
3. Say “no” more.
Not every invitation has to be accepted.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, it might be best for you to sit out some of the festivities this year.
There is no shame in taking care of yourself first! Once your schedule clears up, then think about how you can fit everything back into your calendar. By prioritizing and setting limits you will be able to enjoy the holiday season stress-free!
4. Make traveling easier.
Adding travel to an already-busy holiday season can really amp up the stress.
To make traveling a less stressful experience, you can plan ahead.
For example: book your flight in advance and choose the least expensive days to travel if possible. You can even research which airport has shorter lines or is more convenient for where you are going! By planning ahead you will be able to enjoy all that the holiday season has to offer at a lower stress level.
5. Stay flexible...
The holidays are full of traditions, gatherings with friends and family.
But when you are feeling overwhelmed it is okay to change things up!
Maybe the dinner at your mom's house will be moved from Friday night to Thursday so that you can have more time on the weekend for yourself or maybe your office holiday party isn't as important as your family time - so you don't go this year!
Being flexible and making changes when needed can really take a lot of stress off during the holiday season.
By following these simple tips, you will be able to enjoy all that the holidays have to offer without having it feel like a stressful burden on top of everything else
