Top 5 Tips to Reduce Stress and Stay Organized During the Holidays.
As if this year hasn’t been the ultimate test to everyone’s stress threshold, the holidays are quickly approaching and along with the festivities, joy, and cheer, comes added stress.
Travel may be lessened and some out of town visitors may be put on hold this year, but the gift planning, gift-giving, holiday shopping, gift-wrapping, cooking, and other holiday obligations are things most of us will still have to navigate.
I want to help out with that, by sharing a few tips to make your holiday less stressful and more joyful!
You may be thinking.
How can I relax during the holidays with so much to do?
First off, take a deep breath and let’s make a plan together!
These tips will help you get stuff done, as well as, help you find time to relax with some self-care, and truly enjoy the special moments that come along with the season of gratitude and giving.
Good Ole’ Ben Franklin once said “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.”
While I agree with this, I also feel that we should build in some buffers, for when things don’t go quite as planned – because ya know, LIFE! Plus, we could all use a little extra grace, especially during the holidays!
These are things I have to remind myself of every year when I feel the holiday stress begin to build.
TOP 5 Tips For Reducing Stress and Anxiety During the Holiday Season.
- Don’t be afraid to say “No” to holiday invites this year. Decide on what events you’ll say “Yes” to and what you’ll say “No thanks” to. Be ready to stick to your decision when those last-minute invites come up. This might be easier this year with many holiday parties going virtual, but nevertheless, you don’t have to “attend” everything you’re invited to!
- Avoid overbooking yourself and your family over the holidays. This goes along with the tip above, but be sure to leave some open spaces in your calendar for down-time, self-care, and relaxation. This year’s “Silver Lining” could be the perfect reason to avoid the hustle and bustle and instead, enjoy a simpler holiday season at home.
- Schedule self-care and exercise, ESPECIALLY when you’re stressed! When you take time to do the things that make you happy, you take care of yourself, which means you’ll have so much more energy and happiness to go around! So, put things like, morning exercise and evening relaxation in your calendar with the same priority as your other important appointments. Release those happy endorphins with a nice walk or some gentle yoga.
- Begin and/or end your day by journaling in a gratitude journal to increase happiness. Studies show that when we take the time to focus on and appreciate what we already have in our lives our happiness, contentment and mental health improve.
- Try writing down a few things you’re grateful for or write about something funny or positive that happened during your day.
- Create an evening gratitude practice. It sets you up for a more positive mood before going to sleep – which can help improve your sleep as well. WIN-WIN!
- Looking for a great gift idea for under $10? Spread the love! Gift yourself and a loved one a simple Gratitude Journal this year!
- Organize your holiday shopping ahead of time to keep anxiety away! Now, I’m not saying to start your gift shopping in July, unless that’s something you normally do, but I am suggesting you start to plan at least a month or two in advance so you’re not left scrambling around last minute for the perfect gift, or for that Secret Santa gift you forgot about.
- This handy Gift List Tracker will help you organize the “Who, What, Where, How-much, and Wrapped Yet?” part of your gift-giving. I use this list Every-Single-Year and it takes away SO much gifting anxiety by keeping me organized.
- If you REALLY want to take your holiday planning to the next level and massively reduce stress and overwhelm, then you’ll LOVE The Complete Guide to Zenful Holiday Planning – available in my shop!
I hope this helps you have the most Zenful holiday season ever!
How do you handle stress during the holidays? I’d love to know.
Do you sail through the last quarter of the year with ease like Mary Poppins?
Or, could you use a little help with planning and stress reduction, especially between Thanksgiving and the New Year?
If this is you, then be sure to grab your FREE Holiday Gift List Tracker!
