Less Stress for the Holidays

Do the holidays just make you want to scream? It’s so stressful! So commercial! Are we having fun yet? If you would like to find more meaning in your holiday celebrations, you are not alone. Here are a few suggestions for slowing down and simplifying your holiday routine.

Take the time to make a plan.

Everyday life is busy enough. Add in parties, pageants, and loads of gifts to buy, and it’s just too much. Carve out a time before things kick into high gear to plan the essentials of your holiday strategy. Make shopping lists. Schedule a meal plan. Reserve time for special events. Life’s little emergencies and the decisions we make on the fly raise our stress levels the most. By committing to your priorities in advance, you won’t risk getting off course as the pace of life picks up.

Get your ZZZ's.

You might gain a few more hours of productivity for one night, but sacrificing sleep will catch up with you in the long run. Research shows that tired people perform noticeably worse on tasks requiring concentration and reason than well-rested people. Reducing your sleep also negatively impacts your emotional state and suppresses your immune system. Trying for seven or more hours of sleep nightly will help you function at your best throughout the day.

Learn to say NO.

Sometimes you simply have to say no. You can’t be everywhere at once, so quit spreading yourself too thin. Decide what really matters to you and your family this holiday season. Any last minute requests that don’t measure up, need to go. Graciously decline and move on. You can relax more fully as your schedule frees up, and you’ll have the time and energy to be present when it matters.

It’s time to deck the halls, not climb the walls. You will get a valuable boost to your health and productivity by getting the rest you need. Sticking with a game plan reduces stressful surprises and pares down an overly full calendar. Savor the best of the holidays this year instead of letting the holidays get the best of you.