7 Practical Ways To Beat Holiday Stress

Holidays are a fun and exciting time for most people but they may leave you feeling overwhelmed. If you think that holidays can bring as much stress as they do joy, you are not alone. 

Here are seven practical tips to reclaim your excitement, health and happiness around holidays.

1. Set realistic expectations. As we start planning for the holidays, we often set the bar too high for ourselves. When our celebrations don’t live up to expectations, it leaves us unhappy. Before you start planning, accept that things may not go exactly as planned.  Make a list of what you expect from yourself and what others expect from you. Be realistic.
2. Let go off perfection. It’s totally OK to be imperfect. Get comfortable with the idea that you don’t have to do everything and everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Just go with the flow and enjoy each moment as it comes. Give yourself a little grace. This will allow you to enjoy the holiday season a little better.
3. Stay hydrated. So that when you are thirsty, you don’t confuse it with hunger. You might end up eating junk food which will lead to unwanted weight gain later. Hydration also helps you to be mentally alert, thus helping you make good choices. So, keep a water bottle handy at all the times. Sugary drinks and juices don’t count!
4. Set boundaries around your money. Some of the holiday stress comes from finances – either lack of money or a lack of understanding on how to manage it. Set a holiday budget and stick to it .It’s a good idea to set a budget for entertaining, food, gifts and family activities. This will save you from over spending. You won’t regret doing that !

5. Set boundaries around your time. Many people overcommit their time. It’s very tempting to say yes to every holiday party you are invited to. Before you say yes, take a look at your social calendar. Decide what’s most important to you or where you most want to go. You have to be very selective about the events and parties you attend when you already have a huge to do list to take care off during holidays. Allow yourself to say no to events which don’t align with your feelings, values and time. This will help you to create time for what matters to you the most.
6. Pay attention to your feelings. Holidays can bring a lot of mixed emotions. Notice all kinds of thoughts which come to your mind. Journal them on a regular basis. It’s important to stay connected to your thoughts and feelings during such a busy time of the year so that you are fully in charge of your emotions. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Meditate, or do some deep breathing. Frequent journaling will also help you to take care of any negative emotions which may arise during holidays.
7. Get enough sleep. Research says that you need at least 6-8 hours of sleep to reset your mind, body and spirit. Another bonus of getting 6-8 hours of sleep each night – our immune system also gets a boost when we get proper sleep. It’s so important to stay healthy and not catch any cold or flu virus during holidays to enjoy the holiday spirit.  Get good quality sleep so that you may look and feel your best during holidays.

Follow the above tips and avoid being crushed both emotionally and financially. Plan ahead, eat well and think positive so that you are able to find peace and joy during holidays.

Have an amazing holiday season ahead.

Want to learn more about self care and stress management?

Join my Facebook wellness group, Wellness Mantras. The  purpose of this group is to provide support and accountability to the group members. Each week I share one practical tip on self care and stress management. This group will help you to take those first few steps you need to move towards a healthier and happier life.