Tips to Beat Holiday Stress

Tips to Beat Holiday Stress

If it’s “the most wonderful time of the year” as Andy Williams sings, then why is it that a reported 45% of Americans would rather skip Christmas?

According to a survey from Think Finance reported on nbcnews.com, 69% of people are stressed by a lack of time. 69% are stressed by a lack of money. And 51% are stressed by the pressure to give and receive gifts.

The good news is, you don’t have to suffer.

Society, your family, and your peers may put pressure on you during the holidays, but ultimately the choices are yours to make.

The choice to give gifts, show up at family functions, Christmas parties, charity drives, etc are yours.

Once you realize you have the choice in everything, a lot of the pressure comes off.

Let’s talk tips to beat holiday stress.

Tips to Beat Holiday Stress

Learn the Art of Saying “No”

The best way to avoid burnout and over-commitment during the Holiday season (or any season, really) is to turn down some of those invites-do it in advance as opposed to committing and then bailing out at the last minute (don’t be rude).

Rate what’s most important to you, limit the functions you attend, and politely RSVP “no” to the rest of them without remorse.

Your sanity depends on it.

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Make a List (and Check it Twice)

Once you have a clear idea of what you’re shopping for, get started. The closer it gets to Christmas, the more likely things are to sell out, and then you’re running around town trying to hunt down what you’re shopping for or worse, spending more than it’s worth from 3^rd party scalpers online.

When November rolls around, write down everyone you need to shop for. Figure out your budget and how much you’re going to spend for each person on your list and write it down.

If the people you’re shopping for haven’t given you suggestions, think about what each person’s interests are and write down potential ideas. Surf the web based on those interests and ideas-you just might stumble upon a gift idea. If you’re stumped, ask them for a list.

These days, I do as much of my Christmas shopping online as possible. If you’re prepared, you can catch great Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other holiday-exclusive deals and free shipping.

Amazon is a personal favorite-you can find almost anything you’re looking for on there, and if you have Prime, it will ship to you for free within two business days or less.

For anything you can’t purchase online, plan a block of time to make the trek to the mall or any stores you need to hit, and try to get everything done in one trip.

Multiple trips will only stress you out and waste extra time.

If the mall stresses you out this time of year, bring a friend to make it fun! The mall stresses me out any time of year, and I almost always go with my husband-it takes some of the stress away for me.

Often times, we receive a gift from someone we may not have been expecting, and have nothing prepared to give them in return.

Prepare for this by purchasing in advance a few great gift ideas in case you need a gift at the ready.

Scented candles, a Starbucks gift card, manicure kit, etc. This way, when your co-worker unexpectedly gives you a gift, you can reciprocate quickly with one of your own.

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Plan in Advance

It’s imperative to map out your schedule in advance and get in control, before the fleetingness of time controls you, first.

When November 1^strolls around, get your planner out and look at your schedule.

What are your most important goals through the remainder of the year, what commitments have you made, and what is of utmost value to you and your time?

Keep these things at the forefront of your mind for when the party invites, charity drives, gift exchanges, potluck dinners, etc., roll in.

Address up front what is priority and prepare to turn down anything that is not.

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Take Care of Yourself

Schedule time to exercise, read, or do any activity that relieves stress. Even if you have to carve out just 20 minutes a day, do it.

Plan a date night or movie night with your spouse or a friend. Learn to say “no” to anything that doesn’t suit your best needs.

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Get Festive

Partake in some holiday cheer!

Nothing erases bad memories of the past like creating new ones. Nothing erases stress like having some fun. Make a Holiday craft, decorate your house, or check out Christmas lights in a nearby neighborhood.

Do something FUN that gets you in the Christmas spirit!

I love buying Christmas gifts and selecting that perfect gift for someone, but I hate shopping out in public. Especially during the Holidays.

However…

One of the first dates my husband and I ever went on, he invited me to meet him at the mall and help him pick out Christmas gifts for his family and co-workers.

I might have enjoyed it.

While I still hate shopping, I love Christmas shopping with my husband. The people don’t bother me so much with him around. We make a great team picking out the perfect gifts.

Related:

How to Survive the Holidays When Life is Hard

Give

Helping others helps you.

Make an end-of-year donation to your favorite charity or organization. Christmas shop for a family in need. You’ll be reminded why the Holidays are truly the season of giving.

Nothing will warm your heart more.

You don’t necessarily have to spend money, either. Go through your coat closet and pull out old, gently used items. Donate them to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or other charity drive, so someone in need can stay warm this Winter.

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Step Away

Whether family members are making snarky comments and judgments about your life, arguing about politics, or just not speaking to each other, family functions are for some people the most stress-inducing times of the holiday season.

Don’t waste your energy on snarky replies-it will just frustrate you further. Catch a breather and come back in a few minutes after you’ve had the chance to calm down.

Ditto for family gatherings where family members are currently angry or not speaking to one another, especially if it directly involves you.

As tough as it is, do what it takes to keep the peace. Even when everything in you wants to unleash the fury on your sister-in-law, don’t go there.

When you reply to an interrogation with kindness, it nips any chance they have to continue harassing you in the bud.

On that note…if the situation you’re up against at an upcoming family gathering is causing you distress weeks in advance, you always have the option to just not go.

Related:

The Truth About Self-Care

Before You Go

The Holiday season can be the best time of the year…or the worst. Only you can control your thoughts . Use these tips to make this the best holiday season ever.

What are your favorite tips for staying sane during the Holidays? Let me know in the comments below.

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