Enjoy the holiday season with these stress relief tips.
Juggling the holidays can be stressful for many people. This year is shaping up to be especially stressful, with many people changing their plans and forgoing traditions in response to COVID-19. The good news is that if you’re feeling stressed, you’re not alone! There are ways to manage your holiday stress and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season in a relaxing way.
Try these holiday stress relief tips this season:
- Stay organized
- Take shortcuts
- Look on the bright side
- Count your blessings
- Take care of yourself
- Take care of others
Read on to learn more about these helpful holiday stress relief tips.
Stay organized
If the holiday pressure seems overwhelming, try to write down everything you want to do on paper or in a notes app on your phone. From grocery lists to gift shopping, documenting your thoughts will help you prioritize realistic goals. Try organizing your tasks by color code, plan meals in advance, and focus on tackling a few tasks each day with breaks in between. You’ll be amazed at how much can get accomplished!
Take shortcuts
When it comes to reducing holiday stress, it’s ok to “cheat” and find ways to make preparation tasks more manageable. Instead of sending cards to your entire address book, you may want to stick with a small family list this year. Find ways to incorporate pre-made or prepared foods into your holiday meal, and feel free to sneak some store-bought treats onto your dessert tray. Think about which traditions are worth keeping and which ones can be modified to help take some of the holiday pressure off your shoulders.
Look on the bright side
When we’re stressed, it’s easy to fall into a negative mindset. Fortunately, practicing a positive outlook achieves the opposite effect! If you’re unable to see family members in person this season, take the opportunity to set up a video call to chat with more relatives and friends than you might be able to see in a typical year. If this is your first year in a while where you won’t be cooking for a large group, test out an exciting new recipe you’ve wanted to try. While this holiday season may be different, choosing to find the positives can help us reduce stress and look forward to the future.
Count your blessings
Gratitude is powerful! No matter how stressful things may seem, try to take the time to think about the things you’re thankful for to put that holiday stress into perspective. Whether you’re grateful for family and friends, good health, or a stable job, take a page from the Whos in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and focus on the non-material things that enrich your life.
Take care of yourself
Between busy schedules, information overload, and heavy holiday meals, it’s easy to feel run down this time of year. Be sure to follow holiday stress relief tips like getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and eating healthy foods whenever possible. Working exercise or walks into your day can also help reduce feelings of stress, and help counteract some of that holiday indulgence. Loneliness is also a common issue this time of year – if you’re feeling isolated, take the time to talk to a friend or family member, or connect virtually with a local social or religious group.
Take care of others
Volunteering to help those in need can chase away the holiday blues! Scientific evidence suggests that spreading cheer to others is good for your health. And while charitable activities may look different this year, generosity is not canceled. Get involved in your local toy or holiday meal drive, or look for new ways to help your community or religious organization.
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