Check out these easy tips for how to have a stress-free holiday season.
The holiday season is upon us. It’s an exciting and joyful time…mostly. What about when your end-of-year months are exhausting? Visiting relatives, making big purchases, and attending events can be overwhelming. If you are feeling more like Scrooge and less like Santa, use these ideas to reduce holiday stress and enjoy the season again.
WHY AM I SUCH A SCROOGE? {I NEED STRESS RELIEF!}
The list of reasons why you probably feel frazzled and anxious during the holidays is long:
- Added expenses for gifts, travel, baking, and parties…when your budget is already stretched.
- Extra activities like work parties and kids’ concerns…on an already busy calendar.
- Family obligations….especially when relationships are strained and there have been years of underlying tension.
- Grief and sadness…from missing loved ones who died or live far away.
- FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)…when it seems like everyone else is having the perfect holiday.
- Kids are off school…which means they are out of their routine, not to mention strung out on sugar and holiday excitement.
If you are feeling strung out and weary, you aren’t alone. Many people have told me they wish the calendar could just magically skip the holidays and turn right to January.
HOW I MANAGE HOLIDAYS AS MOM OF A LARGE FAMILY
I’m a pastor’s wife, mom of 5 children, including two with special needs, run two companies, and (like most women these days) juggle many things.
I LOVE Christmas and the holiday season, but there’s a lot to manage both physically and emotionally.
Over the years, I’ve learned to let go of a lot, which includes acceptance that:
- The house won’t be clean or magazine-perfect.
- Stuff won’t get done in the time frame I want it to be done.
- Someone will have a melt-down.
- We won’t exactly follow our budget.
- Just because it’s a “tradition” doesn’t mean we have to do it this year.
- It’s okay if our Christmas doesn’t look like everyone else’s.
- Everyone won’t get all the gifts they want (including me, when the gift I really want is everyone getting along.)
In other words, I had to learn to chill and let things slide, and I hope you will give yourself this grace, too.
Learning to relax and let go of expectations is a real game-changer for enjoying your holiday season. At first, I struggled with letting things slide, like eating Christmas dinner on paper plates or not baking our traditional Christmas cookies one year.
Once I did, I found myself enjoying the holiday season so much more, plus focusing on what matters instead of trying to scratch one more item off my to-do list frantically.
5 EASY STRESS MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS
Here are five simple tips to help you reduce holiday stress. Following even one or two of these tips will help you reduce your tension during a wonderful time of year.
1. RELY ON FAITH
The cliche “Jesus is the reason for the season,” may be a cliche, but it’s also true. Take time every day in December to light a candle and read a Bible verse to prepare your heart for the coming of your King.
Attend worship at our local church. Play Christmas worship music. Give to a family in need.
Focusing on what’s essential helps me put my problems in perspective. Most of what stresses me is first-world issues that are really unimportant.
2. GET OUTDOORS
The holidays are cozy when many people snuggle by the fire, curl up with hot chocolate, and watch Christmas movies. All that time indoors can give you cabin fever.
Mix things up by taking a walk outside even if it is cold. Part of how I maintain my 100 pound weight loss is by walking every day during my lunch break. Even if it’s just 5 minutes, I’ve found that getting outside is a huge stress relief and boosts my mood better than most other things.
If it’s snowy out, bundle up to go sledding, make a snowman, or have a snowball fight.
Winter hikes are often a great way to get in touch with nature and see your surroundings in a totally new way. Leave your stress at home and stay in the moment as you breathe in the crisp, winter air.
Consider hosting a winter picnic. Meet with friends at a local park and serve hot chocolate in a crock pot and sugar cookies. Build a snowman or take little kids for toboggan rides.
Try hosting a caloring party. You’ll bring cheer and holiday spirit to others, and you’ll be blessed yourself.
3. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
The holidays can be full of annoyances. There’s a lot more activity, more to do, and less downtime to unwind.
The next time you find yourself cranky, stop and count your blessings. A simple habit of gratitude has been shown to reduce stress and even prolong life.
Remember the importance of empathy. Every person you encounter, whether it’s a family member or someone who cuts you off in traffic, is fighting battles you don’t see. Give the gift of extra kindness, and you’ll benefit, too.
4. SAY NO
It’s easy to say yes to everything during the holidays. But if you’d rather sit an event out, speak up and say so. There is only so much time in the day and you have to be pickier with your time during the holidays.
Your physical and mental wellbeing still needs care throughout the holiday season. Rest is an important part of self-care.
Do less. With less to do, you’ll be able to be more mindful and present at the events you do choose to attend, so they will be more meaningful.
I know this is tough, especicaly at first. I was worried about hurting the hosts feelings, or afraid my kids were missing out by not participating in all the traditional things.
When you are cautious about your children’s time, you are giving them a gift. They can easily become overwhelmed with too many activities and the excitement. Stressed kids are more irritable, and this leads to issues within the family. No one is having fun when the holiday season is a constant stream of time-outs or lost privileges.
5. KEEP REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Standards and traditions are good. It’s another thing to have unrealistic expectations.
Perhaps you were expecting a better gift from a loved one. Instead, try to see the joy in what you were given. Remember that is truly is the thought behind the gift that counts.
Don’t expect events to be picture perfect. If your mom and your sister-in-law never get along, chances are they won’t become best friends around the tree this year, either.
Don’t try to fit every single new Christmas tradition into one month. Instead, pick a few traditions that are meaningful to you and your family and make those events extra special.
If you are realistic about your expectations you will find yourself experiencing much less holiday stress. When you are less stressed and able to approach the holiday season with a spirit of joy and fun, that’s the best gift you can give your family.
Bonus Tip: TRY CITRUS
The smell of an orange, lemon, or grapefruit is relaxing. This is because citrus can boost norepinephrine, which improves your mood.
Consuming foods containing Vitamin C can reduce stress and also boost the immune system. This is an added benefit during the winter months when the flu is usually running rampant, and a cold or sickness would really mess up your plans and getting together with loved ones.
Try eating some citrus foods at least once a day.
Instead of burning candles with traditional wintergreen scent, try orange or grapefruit.
Keep in mind that the holiday season goes by quickly. It’s a special time of year that should be cherished. But don’t forget to take the time to be kind to yourself.
Which tip will you try this year? Comment below and let me know how you’ll give yourself a break this November and December.
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