Let the Holiday Stress Begin...or Not!
November 1, and Halloween was just yesterday, but many retailers have had Christmas items on display for weeks now. It's that time of year when holiday stress starts ramping up. It's not like the holidays cause our other obligations to disappear. For most of us, there's still work and/or school, taking care of the home and the children and the pets, dealing with never-ending errands and appointments; in other words, life and responsibilities go on no matter what time of year it is. But when we find our time is filling up with extra things to take care of, that stress seems magnified. If you are suffering from chronic pain or serious illness, or are a caregiver for someone who is, that stress is magnified exponentially. Here are a few ideas to help you navigate the holidays (and every day) without pulling your hair out:
1. Prioritize! Make a list of the things you have to do, and put them in order of importance. Make a timeline for when those things need to be completed, and avoid saving things for the last minute.
2. Don't hesitate to ask for help whenever you're overwhelmed.
3. Keep in mind the world is not going to end if you buy brownies for the school bakesale instead of rushing yourself to make them yourself.
4. Don't do every little thing for your children. If they're old enough, they can make their own beds, clean their own rooms, do their own laundry, and pitch in with general cleaning around the house. Too many times, we think we have to do everything for everybody, and that's simply not true. Teaching them to take on responsibilities is preparing them for the real world.
5. If you're committed to hosting the extended family holiday get-together, try to do a little bit at a time ahead of schedule. Call up other attendees and ask them to bring a covered dish. Make your baked goods ahead of time and freeze them. If you can afford it, get help with catering. Many restaurants will offer take-out whole turkey and ham and side dishes. No one is going to die if you serve a sweet potato casserole from the freezer section of the grocery store.
6. Get enough rest. Try to stick to a regular schedule of sleeping, and take a nap if you need to.
7. Try to eat healthier and avoid having so many carb-heavy foods at mealtime. Even though carbs are the body's fuel, having too much at once tends to make you feel lethargic.
8. Get some exercise. Even 15 minutes of walking a day can make a difference in the way you feel.
9. Shop online. It's understandable to want to support small businesses, but many of them also have websites where you can buy online. Hundreds of small businesspeople are on Etsy, for example. Shopping online keeps you from having to battle the maddening crowd. If you want to shop locally with small businesses, try to avoid peak times like the weekends.
10. Gift certificates and gift cards can simplify your holiday shopping.
11. Learn how to Just Say No! You can't attend every single function or do every single thing people ask of you, and you don't have to. Don't feel guilty for prioritizing. Be realistic about how much you can do.
12. Take care of yourself. You can't fill the cup for anyone else when you're running on empty.
No matter what you celebrate this upcoming holiday season, we wish you the best!
Posted In:
Stress Management
General