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50 ways to reduce holiday stress
| December 22, 2009 | Posted by simply stephen under anger & stress |
If you need a stress buster for the holiday season, here’s 50 ways to reduce holiday stress – quick simple things you can do to take the edge off.
- make a holiday checklist and plan your activities and items ahead of time
- create a schedule of activities and tasks – delegate and divide and stick to it.
- if you have anxieties – make a list of what they are and then delegate the activities
- learn to accept that things don’t have to be perfect
- set aside some personal time every day for meditation – quiet time
- when stressed, immediately practice a breathing exercise
- hire a sitter (or do a “child swap” for your shopping or cooking day
- do your shopping early
- try a gift exchange for the adults instead of gifts for everyone – in a large family or group each adult gives one person a gift
- don’t shop during peak hours
- buy the same consumable gift for everyone, i.e. a bottle of local wine, fancy cheese basket, tickets
- find wrapping alternatives, like hand decorated reusable boxes, that your kids can make
- remember…you don’t really need more. Avoid the hype
- minimize the time with those christmas scrooges
- be the Good Samaritan while you are out – open a door, let someone ahead of you in line – an act of kindness will go a long way in making your day.
- focus on what you have – not what you don’t have. Gratitude goes a long way.
- get your veggies done early and freeze them or put them in the fridge if it is only a day or two
- do your side dishes way ahead of time
- make your deserts and goodies well in advance
- do a desert, cookie and candy exchange with a group of friends
- on the day you host an event, set the table and put the decorations up early
- keep your decorations simple – leave your lights out for the whole year!
- have a potluck for a dinner and share the cleanup
- combine visiting by bringing people along to an event
- do some of the favourite activities – this will give you a warm fuzzy feeling. Make sure you do the couple things you always like
- make sure you get your favourite christmas foods
- have a lot of nutritious snacks and water around, especially for the kids
- get plenty of rest
- plan a day of relaxation and don’t let anything get in the way
- turn your phone off and ignore email during specific times each day
- prepare a few special activities in advance such as skating, tobogganing, hay ride, etc. that can be done on the spur of the moment
- create your own holiday tradition
- keep yourself active and get some actual exercise in – even just a fresh evening walk, combine it with walking the dog
- too busy – get some help, hire help, outsource, can’t afford it – do a work exchange with a group of friends
- go out and get some fresh air
- plan an activity like winter walking, skating, skiing or tobogganing
- go out and get some fresh daylight, especially those that suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- forget about the tree – just put up some simple decorations instead
- don’t over commit to activities – choose a few and decline a few
- don’t go out on New Years or go out early – plan a simple evening at home with a small group
- have a chat with your friends and family about the holidays – pros and cons
- control your eating – if you are full, stop; eat smaller portions; limit or ration the sweets; drink lots of water; take your vitamins; reduce your coffee and booze
- plan a spa day – if it’s not in your budget have a soak in the bath with candles, no interruptions and some calming music or a good book
- donate some time to a local charity
- donate some money, food or items to charity
- share your food, baking and gifts with your neighbours and co-workers
- watch your favourite christmas movies
- do something creative – even if it’s just singing a song
- laugh and share joy
- accept who people are and resist the urge to argue – just walk away
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