7 Tips to Help Reduce Stress Levels This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be stressful. With all the demands of holiday shopping, family, and work commitments, it can be hard to relax and enjoy the festivities, especially in an age of social media where the pressure to have picture-perfect lifestyles is higher than ever. It’s little wonder 1 in 3 people feel entirely overwhelmed during this time of year.
But don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to help reduce your stress levels and make the most of the season. Here are 7 tips to help you reduce stress levels this holiday season:
Don’t blow the budget on gifts or socializing.
The holidays are a great time to catch up with your loved ones and to show appreciation for the people in your life. However, you don’t want to cause yourself financial stress by spending too much on gifts or socializing too much during the holidays and ignoring your finances.
- Don’t get into debt during the holidays. If you spend more than you can afford, you’ll have to make sacrifices to pay off your debt in the new year. This could include having less money to pay your essential bills, which is a bad idea.
- Don’t overbook your calendar with party invitations. Parties can be a lot of fun and a considerable stressor. You should be selective with the invitations you accept and save some money by not attending every party you are invited to.
Delegate
Try to delegate some of your responsibilities during the holiday season, and don’t feel that you have to do everything yourself. If your kids want to bake some cookies, give them a recipe and a few basic instructions, and let them go at it while you make something else. Why not try gift wrapping as a family while having a movie night? When it comes to gift-giving, you might want to delegate some of the gift-buying processes too. If you have a friend or family member who is particularly difficult to shop for, ask the family or mutual friends for ideas and suggestions to narrow down the time spent looking for the perfect gift.
Don’t be afraid to say no.
If someone invites you over for a holiday meal, and you don’t have time to visit with them, just say no. If your boss invites you to a work outing, and you don’t want to attend, say no. Don’t feel you have to participate in every event or visit with every person who invites you. No matter how much you love your family and friends, you can’t spend all your time with them. You have to make time for yourself, too. Don’t let your social calendar keep you from taking the time you need to rest and recover. If you’re feeling stressed, take a break from social activities.
Stay in the moment
The holidays are a great time to live in the moment. What does that mean? The present moment is all about being in the now. It is about living in the moment and just being happy as you are at this very moment. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, take a few slow deep breaths. Focus on your breathing and the moment. If you feel rushed or hurried, take a moment to reflect and make a conscious choice to slow down. Be happy with your choices and the things you must do but don’t feel the need to rush.
Appreciate the little things
The holidays are a time for celebrating the little things in life. If you’re stressed about how much money you’ll have to spend on gifts or how much time you’ll have to spend with family, remember the little things that make this time of year so special. What could be more special than a hot cup of cocoa when you’re cold and need a warm beverage? What could be more special than enjoying their company and the festive atmosphere when you are eating with family and friends? So many small things make the holiday as unique as it is, so instead of focusing on the big grand gestures and displays, focus on the small things that make you smile.
Try not to overindulge too often.
Celebrating and enjoying the holidays is important, but don’t overindulge too often. Be wary of the temptation to eat and drink too much. If you feel stuffed or get tipsy too often, you may need to slow down a bit. Don’t feel you have to overindulge whenever you have a holiday party or meal. If you feel a bit stuffed or need a break, take some time to rest. And if you tend to overindulge during the holiday season, try to make healthier choices. Avoid overly rich or sugary foods, and drink only in moderation. Don’t feel like you have to eat everything that is put in front of you.
Set times to stop and relax
The holiday season can be stressful, so set times to stop and relax. If you feel yourself getting too stressed, take a break. If you are hosting a party or visiting with family, set a time to take a break. If you need a change of scenery, take a walk outside or go to a nearby coffee shop. If you need to, take some time off from work. Most employers will require you to put in PTO requests ahead of time, but there is no harm in asking for time off or rearranging your schedule to allow some downtime.
Relaxing can mean anything as long as you do just that, from taking a long bath to read a book, hitting the gym, doing a yoga class or heading to bed with some festive munchies putting a film on, and using natural remedies to reduce stress levels like valerian root and products from The Standard.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a fun and festive time of year. However, it can also be stressful, especially if you’re trying to squeeze everything into one month. To help reduce your stress levels, try some of these tips. Don’t blow your budget on gifts or socializing, delegate some tasks, don’t be afraid to say no, stay in the moment, appreciate the little things, try not to overindulge too often, and set times to stop and relax. The holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful; you can do these things to help reduce stress levels this holiday season.
