It seems like there are two types of people during the holidays: the ever-so-grouchy Mr. Grinch or the cheery, gleeful Cindy Lou Who. Unfortunately, the stress of the holidays can steer many of us into the “Mr. Grinch” category.
The holiday season brings family, friends, delicious food, and fun parties. However, it can also bring a lot of unwanted stressors as well. This time of the year elicits the expectation that people should feel happy, so you may feel like something is wrong with you if you don’t feel overjoyed about the upcoming holidays. This unfulfilled expectation can warrant a lot of stress and have you counting down the days until the holiday season is over.There are many variables that can increase your stress levels this time of year. Learning to manage this stress effectively will help you stay clear-headed and cheery so that you can celebrate and find joy in the holidays. Here are a few tips to help you deal with some holiday stressors that you might be facing this season:
Finances
The pressure to buy gifts and host extravagant parties can be overwhelming.
Know your budget. Do your math and determine a realistic holiday spending budget. Keep in mind that this shouldn’t just include gifts, but also money for traveling (if needed) as well as money for any decorations or food preparations.
Come up with a financial plan – and stick to it. Once you know your budget, determine what you are going to buy and know the prices of each item before going to the store. It’s incredibly easy to overspend at the mall when stocking up on gifts without your budget and financial plan in mind. If you are using credit cards, make sure you plan accordingly to avoid even more stress after the holidays are over.
Gift personally. As cliché as it sounds, sometimes it really is the thought that counts. If your budget is tight this year, don’t forget about how special it is to receive simple, meaningful gifts. These don’t have to be expensive, and they make a huge impact.
Diet
The winter months can make it easier to lose sight of your healthy diet and exercise routine, which only contributes more to stress.
Limit alcohol intake. Binge drinking for holiday parties is terrible for your overall health and wellbeing. Try to stay away from excessive drinking as much as possible.
Stick with your regular exercise routine and eating habits. Just because it’s cold out and you’re busier than usual doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be eating well and exercising regularly. In fact, keeping your balanced diet and exercise routine throughout the holiday season will help keep your stress levels down.
Think while you eat. It’s easy to overeat, especially while you are socializing. Keep in mind when you are starting to feel full, as to not overeat. Guilt from binge eating affects many adults during the holiday season. Remember that you are in control of your portions.
Bake and cook what you need. Cooking too much food or baking too many goodies makes it easy to stack your plate too high and feel obligated to finish leftovers before they go bad. Only prepare what you need!
Family
Spending time with family and in-laws is special, but it can also increase holiday stress even more.
Set realistic expectations. No family is perfect and some conflict is normal. Don’t stress yourself out thinking that your family should have the “perfect holiday” – it just isn’t realistic.
Have appropriate conversations. Obviously, just because you are family doesn’t mean your opinions won’t differ. Remember to set aside differences for the holidays and avoid any conversations that could lead to conflict.
Jet lag. Remember that traveling can cause exhaustion and irritability. Keep this in mind if you are traveling to a relatives house or if a relative has traveled to see you.
Time
Your busy schedule can make each day more stressful than it needs to be. Make time for what is important this holiday season.
Say no. It’s okay to say “no”. You don’t have to attend every single co-worker's ugly sweater party or every family function for two months. Make sure that you have the time that you need for yourself to recuperate from your daily life.
Stick to your schedule. Stay organized! Make sure that you can take care of your regular responsibilities before committing to any holiday festivities. Give yourself enough time to get everything done, including food preparations, decorating, and getting gifts ready.
Don’t let holiday stressors turn you into the Grinch this year. Set aside that expectation of a “perfect holiday” and focus on what really matters: spending time with your loved ones and spending time on yourself.
What helps you de-stress over the holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!
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