5 Tips for Keeping Your Holiday-Season Stress Free
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
I can't believe how quickly the year has gone by - one minute we were setting our New Year’s resolutions, and the next we’re finding ourselves making plans for the holidays. The older you get, the quicker time seems to pass in front of us. So here we are, once again, starting to talk about the holidays!
To say that the holidays are a busy time around here would be an understatement. For one thing, my husband’s birthday, my mother-in-law’s birthday, and my birthday all take place the week of Christmas! Add in all the regular festivities, parties, and gatherings that go with the holiday season, and things can quickly feel like they are piling up. I absolutely love this time of year, but nonetheless, I'm well aware of how busy and stressful this time can be.
When we go into this busy holiday season with an idea of how we can reduce our stress, we're setting ourselves up to enjoy the most of the season. Today, I want to share 5 tips to make the holidays as stress-free as possible.
5 Tips for Keeping Your Holiday-Season Stress Free
1. SPREAD IT OUT
While often these holidays may officially take place on one particular day, that doesn’t mean we can only celebrate them on that day. Instead of feeling like you need to see everyone over a couple of days, it’s worth considering spreading out your visits. I’m a firm believer that just because something has been done one way in the past, that doesn’t mean it needs to continue that way. For some families, having a Christmas dinner the weekend before the 25th may help to reduce stress and anxiety during the holidays! Reimagine the holidays, and don’t feel like you need to do everything all at once.
2. REDUCE TRAVEL WHEN POSSIBLE
The holiday season has looked a little different over the past couple of years with stay-at-home orders and social distancing. While things may start to feel a little more normal this year, I want to remind you that it’s okay to still look at where you can reduce your holiday travelling. For example, this may look like negotiating with family members about who is travelling where or even finding somewhere to meet up halfway if this distance is far. It’s important to find what works for you and your family now, as opposed to what has always been.
3. SET A BUDGET & STICK WITH IT
I cannot stress this enough, the holidays are not worth going into debt over. This includes gifts, decorations, food, travel expenses, and everything else holiday-related. Be open and honest with your family about your expectations and intentions during the season. Many families are currently feeling the stress of inflation and the cost of living, so if things feel a little tighter this year, honour that. Work within your means and be proud of yourself for what you can do. As the Grinch once said, “maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”
4. PRIORITIZE QUALITY TIME
Sometimes we get so caught up in the presents that we forget to be present. This holiday season, I want to encourage you to prioritize spending quality time with those who are most important to you. This could look like eating dinner as a family, FaceTiming faraway relatives, or meeting up with a friend for coffee.
5. SET BOUNDARIES
There are countless reasons why the holidays may be difficult. Anything from estranged family members to financial pressures and more can make an already busy and stressful time of year feel even more difficult. I want to remind you that it’s okay to set boundaries. It’s okay to say no to gatherings or set limits around them if you need to. Ultimately, the holidays are supposed to be something we enjoy, so if there’s something that is causing you unnecessary stress or hard feelings, you’re allowed to either reimagine it or step away from it altogether. Make the holidays work for you, not the other way around.