Balancing Stress Through the Holidays

The holidays are a super special time of year filled with so many traditions and time with family. Being around loved ones always creates great memories that are cherished for years to come. But let’s be honest, all the time leading up to those special moments can be incredibly stressful! The planning, organizing, and juggling that occurs in the weeks of the holiday season is enough to drive anyone mad. The good news is there are simple ways to help manage that stress, and this is how:

Making a List

Sit down with plenty of time and make a big, detailed list of all the things you want to accomplish over the holidays. These can be big ticket items like going to cut down a Christmas tree or taking time to bake your favorite holiday dessert with your family. But it can also contain small items like picking up gift cards for all the kids’ teachers and watching your favorite holiday movie. Big or small, write them all down. And be really detailed about it. Fill as many pages as you’d like. This is your ideal holiday plan.

Check it Twice

Now that you have your list, get a pen and start crossing things off the list. It is beyond unrealistic to think you can do every single thing on that list all by yourself. First, cross off everything you just don’t want to do. If you don’t feel like making ambrosia salad for Aunt Mildred this Thanksgiving, that’s totally fine! Who wants ambrosia salad anyways?! If you secretly dread the neighborhood cookie swap, cross that off too. Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you get to people please and spread yourself thin. 

Call in the Troops

Go through your list again and see which items can be delegated out to other people or places. Perhaps you can ask your partner to hang all the garland this year instead of you doing it. Or maybe this is the time to enlist the help of your local bakery instead of baking multiple pies. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a way for you to free up your time so you can have more enjoyment of the holiday season. 

With your tidied list take another look at what items remain and ask yourself, “Is this a healthy list?” Asking yourself this question should bring up thoughts like: Can I manage to do these things and still feel happy? Are all the things on this list things I want to do? Am I doing these things for me or for someone else? You may find you can cross a few more things off your list after reconsidering each item again. With these tips you’re sure to have a less stressful and joyful holiday season!