Write a commentNo one can argue that the holidays are a time for great joy, and for most of us the holidays can also be a time of periodic stress and some frustration. No one should be denied the joys of the holiday season, so here are a few suggestions that may help you reduce holiday stress and enjoy the season a little more!
Plan ahead
Accept well in advance that the holidays may require more of your time for special preparations in addition to our regular routines and responsibilities. Too often many of us get caught short, running around at the "eleventh hour," trying to get the last minute things done and feeling a bit stressed out. The solution is to plan ahead and schedule tasks and events with greater care. It always seems to get done sooner or later, so why not sooner at your own pace.
Learn the meaning of delegation
There is a lot of difference between "I do it" and "It gets done." Which is more important to you? Probably, "It gets done." Sure, it's always fun to "do it all," but that may be and impractical goal that can stress anyone out. Share in the shopping, the cooking, and the cleaning and realize that you don't have to do it all yourself. Remember, there is only so much time, and everyone can appreciate participation in the preparations during the holiday season.
Get enough sleep
Too often during the holidays it's the parties, the preparations, the cooking and the shopping that takes a toll on our sleep patterns. The problem for most of us when we don't get enough sleep results in crankiness and this time of year no one wants to be labeled a "Scrooge." Everyone has a different sleep level that we require to feel rested and it's during the holidays that you must take time for adequate sleep so that you have the energy to get into the full swing of things and enjoy it as it happens.
Give into temptation – in moderation
A key way to avoid feeling tired and craggy is to keep your eating habits as normal as possible. We all are familiar with overindulging during the holidays. "One more cookie can't hurt; you only do it once a year, right?" The problem is we pay for it later and sometimes sooner. A little advanced planning might help you in this area. And just before leaving for the parties, snack on a nutritious treat to curb that appetite. An apple, banana or some yogurt will help limit your "picking" at those tempting holiday platters.
Set up a financial budget and stick to it
Everyone wants to be generous this time of year, which makes it much easier to "impulse buy," especially with the credit cards. This can cause many to experience the "post-holiday blues," when the bills arrive in January. Plan ahead what you will spend before you go out the stores, and then stick to those budgeted amounts when you're shopping.
I hope these few tips can help you reduce some of the stress that can go along with this time of year. Happy Holidays from everyone at St. Francis Commons!
