How to Avoid Holiday Stress

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The Stress of the Holidays

I don’t know about you, but I do enjoy the Holiday Season. Eating good food and spending time with the family and friends I don’t get to see much throughout the year.

But what I don’t enjoy is

• cooking
• cleaning
• shopping
• wrapping
• taking down decorations
• the post-holiday letdown.

What about you? Do you enjoy doing all of these things?

Because I have a tendency to get stressed out when trying to make the perfect pie or trying to find the perfect gift for someone, I have decided to let myself off of the hook this year.

I will do my best to set a beautiful table or wrap a present so fabulously you’ll think Martha Stewart herself wrapped it, but…if anything doesn’t live up to the standards I have set in my mind, I am just gonna BREATHE and let it go.

I have decided to release the pressure off of myself (and everyone else). This time of year should be about enjoying each other’s company and eating good food, but oftentimes the endless to-do lists and the goal of perfection can cause us to miss the joy and be stressed out.

Life is complicated and scary enough right now without the added pressures of the Holiday Season. So often we tend to set high expectations for ourselves and everyone else around us. And this usually just causes anxiety and letdowns.

In reality, we are all just trying to do our best. And maintain our sense of self and our sense of sanity. What a challenge that can be!

Because of all the cooking, shopping, and traveling, I realize that I tend to neglect myself more than ever. But it is truly more important than ever to practice a bit of Self-Care so that I can get through and truly enjoy all the trappings and trimmings that come along with the Holidays. Do you neglect yourself as well during the Holidays?

Suggestions for Holiday Self-Care

To help us feel better this season and avoid the holiday stress, I have compiled a short but sweet list of a few things you and I can do to help us practice self-care daily.

• While out (or online) shopping for others, buy ONE thing for yourself that is within a modest budget. Even if it is just a new mascara or body wash that you love. You deserve a little gift, too!

• Listen to your favorite music at home and in the car. Music can change your mood and give you a sense of calm. Find what works for you.

• Take time to meditate or read scripture. Allow your mind to be quiet and be filled with positive thoughts.

• Spend a few minutes each morning (or evening) and jot down 3 Things that you are GRATEFUL for. Having a spirit of GRATITUDE can change your perspective and give you a sense of well-being.

• Don’t neglect your exercise routine during this busy time. Find even just a few minutes to stretch, run, lift, do yoga or whatever your favorite form of movement is. It’ll make your body and mind feel better and stronger.

• Last but not least, BREATHE. What I mean is to be really mindful of yourself and to stop and take a few long, slow, deep breaths. This act can calm your body and mind down, relieving tension and anxiety.

We often put so much pressure on ourselves to do everything perfectly, to have the most beautiful Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year celebration that we get so stressed out and don’t get a chance to actually enjoy it.

So decide this year that things are going to be different and kick Holiday Stress to the curb! Decide that you are going to let yourself and others off the hook and just have a nice time even if things (or people) aren’t perfect.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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