5 Tips for a Stress Free Holiday
We’ve hurdled past Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday!
Now on to Chanukah, Yule, Christmas and the New Year!
Take a minute.
How do you actually want your holidays to be? Fun, relaxed, enriching?
How do you actually want to feel? Happy, satisfied, warm?
Unfortunately, how we want to experience something and how we actually experience it, can often be worlds apart.
Right?
So in an effort to really create exactly what you want this year, here are my top 5 ways to have a stress free, relaxed and wonderful holiday season!
We’ve hurdled past Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.
Now on to Chanukah, Yule, Christmas and the New Year!
Take a minute.
How do you actually want your holidays to be? Fun, relaxed, enriching?
How do you actually want to feel? Happy, satisfied, warm?
Unfortunately, how we want to experience something and how we actually experience it, can often be worlds apart.
Right?
So in an effort to really create exactly what you want this year, here are my top 5 ways to have a stress free, relaxed and wonderful holiday season!
1. Self Care
Even if you have a house full of guests, are cooking up a storm or have a packed schedule of holiday parties, be sure to schedule time just for YOU.
Maybe it’s spending an hour journal writing and meditating.
How about an early evening soak in the tub?
Maybe you want to curl up by the fire with a good book, or go for a solitary walk.
Find time to give to yourself over the next few weeks so that you have the energy to give to others.
2. Clear Boundaries
Make a plan.
First, let's talk money.
What’s your holiday budget? In other words, how much money are you willing to spend on gifts, meals and outings?
Honestly look at what you have and what you can comfortably afford.
Now let's talk about tasks.
Having guests and family?
Why not make a chore list.
Decide what needs to be done, write it out, then have people sign up. That way the burden of cooking, cleaning and shopping doesn’t solely fall on you.
Plus then you're not angry, resentful or overworked!
3. Schedule Fun
Make sure that throughout the next few weeks, the activities and tasks you do are FUN for you.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype or get completely focused on taking care of everyone else. Don’t forget about yourself and what you love most about this time of year.
For me, it’s getting a fresh tree and decorating it along with the house. I play all of my favorite holiday music like A Charlie Brown's Christmas.
I also love special holiday foods (especially desserts). So I enjoy researching new recipes, making them and then, of course, eating!
4. Seek Balance
Since I was just mentioning indulging in special holiday treats, be mindful about it. In other words, enjoy and savor those specialities - be it fudge, gingerbread, yule logs, eggnog and the like. But also counterbalance that with exercise, movement as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
5. Make Your Time Meaningful
How can you really savor this special time?
Be truly present with yourself, your loved ones and each and every moment.
Throughout your day, take a minute to breathe in and express gratitude for all you have. That can instantly change everything.
Think too about the customs or traditions you enjoy around this time of year - lighting candles, going to mass, chorale singing.
How can you feed your soul this holiday season?
Try incorporating these 5 tips and see how much of a difference they can make for you.
My wish for you is that the next few weeks are the most fulfilling, inspiring, loving weeks in your life, and that you have a peaceful, joyful rest of 2017. AND may you get everything your heart desires!
Stay in touch! Feel free to leave a comment below about your holiday season.
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5 Tips for A Stress-Free Holiday Season
We’re entering into the vortex of holiday. The next 5 weeks will be a blur of excitement… and stress.
Many of us look forward to the holidays as a time for family, fun, sharing and giving. But the holidays are THE most stressful time of year.
So in the midst of decorating, shopping, cooking and partying, be sure to take extra special care of YOU.
Here are my top 5 ways to stay sane and enjoy this most wonderful time of year.
We’re entering into the vortex of holiday. The next 5 weeks will be a blur of excitement… and stress.
Many of us look forward to the holidays as a time for family, fun, sharing and giving. But the holidays are THE most stressful time of year.
So in the midst of decorating, shopping, cooking and partying, be sure to take extra special care of YOU.
Here are my top 5 ways to stay sane and enjoy this most wonderful time of year.
1. Start Your Day
How you start your day is critical.
For years my husband would say, “How you start your day is how you live your day.”
He and I always start with meditation. Why? Because it offers a moment of silence, of unity and a way to ground and center myself before I jump into the chaos of life.
Give yourself the gift of silence in the morning.
If you’re not ready for that, listen to a guided meditation. I have many on my website. Feel free to download some today. Click Here
2. Schedule Timeouts
Timeouts aren’t just for toddlers anymore. Timeouts are for adults, especially Mommies and Daddies who need a little down time, relaxation and rest.
But the key is to schedule them.
I know this sounds counter intuitive – but if they aren’t scheduled, life will intercede. Here are the steps to making your timeouts a reality:
- Ask yourself: What time during the day is good for even a 20-minute time to chill? Around lunch time? During that 3pm drag? A half hour before bedtime?
- Now think about what day or days of the week this could work.
Maybe Wednesdays the kids don’t need to get picked up until 4 so you could have an hour to put your feet up and read a magazine. Or Friday is a half day at work, you could do something in the afternoon...
SCHEDULE these breaks into your life.
Think of them as catnaps OR take an entire afternoon and get a massage, relax in the hot tub or simply unwind on a nature walk.
3. Delegate / Ask for Help
Even when we look forward to the holidays, they can easily feel overwhelming.
Because in addition to the regular schedule – job, children, family, chores, school – there’s the added decorating, gift buying, socializing…
How can you manage it all?
- Make a list of all the new chores and obligations/invitations that the holidays bring.
- Prioritize the list. What can other people do?
- Enlist help from friends and family members including children – regardless of age. They love to assist and it’s fun for them to be involved.
I know a woman who confessed to being such a control freak she wouldn’t let anyone help her put the lights on the Christmas tree.
Know yourself and decide what the MUSTS are for you, then give away the other tasks. (Even if it means they don’t get done absolutely perfectly.)
4. Stick to the Budget
I know this one isn’t romantic but it’s a vital anti-stress tool.
Overspending for the holidays can fell good for a fleeting moment but ultimately it adds undue pressure and stress.
To avoid this, make yourself a budget.
How much available cash do you have for gifts?
Be realistic.
Once you identify that, allocate a certain amount per person. If you have specific presents in mind, subtract those costs from your budget and then get creative with the rest.
There’s always enough money for everything you need to get.
5. Exercise
I recently finished an article that cited research about the incredible benefits to your brain of cardio exercise like running. It helps create new brain cells (wahoo!) It also benefits mitochondria which provides energy to the cells.
If you aren’t in the habit of exercising, the holidays are the perfect time to start.
You'll feel better in mind, body and spirit. It will lower your stress level and keep your neurons strong and healthy regardless of how much eggnog you imbibe!
Enjoy these next few weeks with friends and family. But be sure to take the best care of YOU!