5 tips to help with holiday stress
During the holidays we are all a little busier than normal and that’s to be expected. While there is much to celebrate and be happy about, the holiday season can also be hard on a lot of us in different ways. And just because it’s exciting doesn’t always mean it’s free of stress! More full schedules and events means more planning, preparing, and navigating. So let’s talk about how we can all keep the stress levels down as much as possible as we make our way through the end of the year.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO!
You are not obligated to say yes to every party invite, every dinner, or holiday activity. And learning to be understanding to others if they say no helps us take things less personally and destress as well. Some of us have more on our plate than others, are battling something the outside world doesn’t know about, and are struggling to keep everything in line. It’s not mean to say no, just be kind in your decline and close with positive wishes for the occasion!
REST WHEN YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED
When we are stressed, our bodies go into a state of “fight or flight” and overwhelm. This can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. Without rest and relaxation, you run the risk of experiencing burnout, anger, irritability, medical problems, or more. Rest is actually productive and necessary for optimal health!
DELEGATE & ACCEPT HELP
If you feel like you maybe bit off a little more than you can chew, delegate some tasks and let others help you! If the thought of delegating makes you feel a tad uneasy, start with smaller and lower priority tasks. You may not have to do it all yourself after all!
KEEP HOLIDAY EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC
Setting the expectations too high almost always sets the stage for frustration and disappointment. If you go into it with a structure in place but leave wiggle room for flexibility and adjustments, you are setting yourself up for success! In this case you will be much more likely to enjoy yourself anyway, and who doesn’t want that?
PRACTICE SELF COMPASSION
The holidays are not about perfection! You are not required to have it all together, not just all the time but especially during this time of year. Compassion helps us become less critical and perhaps even give more with the right spirit of mind. Compassion starts with us; so once we can do this for ourselves, we are also able to extend it to others, and sometimes that’s the best gift we can give someone!
WE LOVE YOU GUY AND HOPE THIS HELPS!
