It’s Christmas time again. This time of year is usually filled with lots of activities, parties, shopping, entertaining and so much more. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and over extend yourself and also to over indulge and end up with some regrets when the holiday season is over.
But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays and maximize the enjoyment.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. Your finances may have taken a downturn and you may not be able to afford the same things as you used to but that doesn’t mean that you can not still have a good time with your loved ones within your current budget, whatever it is. If you’re far away from your loved ones and can’t afford to travel to be with them, try making alternative arrangements. Thanks to technology it’s now easier than before to stay in touch so call, text, and video call as much as you need to.
Acknowledge your feelings
The holiday season is usually spent with family and close friends. For people who have recently lost loved ones, this can be a very difficult time. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, it’s perfectly normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You shouldn’t try to force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
Make a budget and stick to it
Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Remember that January is a really long month and for those who get paid in the middle of December, if you overspend during the holidays, you may end up struggling through the first couple of months of the new year. To reduce your costs, try giving some homemade gifts or even regifting items you’ve received in the past but never used.
Plan ahead
Failing to plan is planning to fail, especially during holiday season. The markets and shops get really busy so it’s important to plan your menus and make your shopping lists. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. If you will be entertaining guests and need the services of a caterer or baker or even cleaners, you also want to contact them in good time in order to secure their services.
Learn to say no
You’re not superman/woman. You may not be able to do all the things asked of you by different people so learn to say no. From family members making inconsiderate demands, to employers trying to make you work extra hours or friends who expect you to accompany them for all the events lined up this season. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will have to understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
Don’t abandon healthy habits
Christmas time = food time. Whether you’re attending an end of year party or entertaining friends and family, there’s always a lot of food and drink around. This doesn’t mean that you should consume everything in sight. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack or meal at home before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets or drinks. Limit your alcohol consumption. Drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.
With these tips, you may be able to prevent some of the stress that comes with the holiday season. Recognizing holiday triggers such as financial pressures or personal demands can help you tackle them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.
Happy Holidays!
