5 Tips for a Stress-free Holiday Season

by Le-Vel December 4, 2019 903 Views

It’s so easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit – in the wrong way. With seasonal movies and social media posts depicting idyllic scenes, we might feel the need to create our own picture-perfect home and events. The problem is, life isn’t perfect, so trying to make it that way leads to worry and frustration. How can we achieve a stress-free holiday season that brings us and our loved ones joy? Try these tips to help you find pleasure as you decorate, plan, wrap, pack and celebrate this year.

Don’t Do It Alone

Turn to family and friends for assistance with decorating, baking cookies and other festive activities. You can bond and make new traditions (and train the kids to take over these tasks!) while checking items off your list.

Hire outside help for the less fun chores like house-cleaning, putting up outdoor lights, assembling or wrapping gifts – whatever is time-consuming or not enjoyable for you.

Pick up prepared foods such as store-bought pies and meat-and-cheese trays to save yourself from having to do one more thing for a potluck or your own party.

Make Time for Yourself

While the holidays are about giving to others, don’t neglect your own needs. Maintain your daily routines as much as possible, including sticking to your usual sleep schedule.

Take time to exercise, pamper yourself or meditate so that you can stay healthy and cheerful throughout the season.

If you’re new to meditation, download the always-free Smiling Mind app for guided, 10-minute exercises. You’ll feel calmer and more clear-headed afterward.

Forget Perfection

Remember that you’re not in a competition. No one will judge your decorating skills – unless you signed up for a gingerbread house contest! Your family would rather see you happy than to have every aspect of the holiday look like a photo in a magazine. Plus, when you make room for stress-free holiday season by letting go of perfection, your family will feel less pressure to keep your home in perfect order 24/7.

Choose Wisely

Don’t feel the pressure to attend every party you’re invited to or to send a card to everyone you know. Unlike Santa, you don’t have a crew of elves or a team of reindeer to make magically spread holiday cheer to all. Consider who is most important to you and concentrate on them.

Focus on What Truly Matters

Ultimately, the holidays aren’t about gifts, pretty lights or parties. They’re about quality time with family and friends, worshipping and giving to the less fortunate. Come up with simple ways to incorporate these ideals into your celebrations this year. If you find yourself stressing out about the details, return to thinking about the real reasons for the season.