Wishing You Less Stress This Holiday Season

Say Yes to Less Stress for the Holidays

The first thing that might cross your mind about our blog title is that it’s easier said than done to have less stress this holiday season. It seems that holiday stress starts somewhere around Halloween. Maybe because stores have had holiday displays since the end of September. Do they keep moving up the date each year to preview holiday sales, or is it me? We want to share some ways to beat stress this holiday season that have worked for many of us.

Try to identify what is stressing you. Many times, if we haven’t fully grieved a situation or person, an event or announcement can trigger grief all over again. Our emotions don’t categorize, so if we are feeling sad about Diane Keaton’s passing this week, it could have us tearing up about other things in our lives that have happened this year that haven’t been fully grieved. It could be hormones, world events, or any number of things on top of general holiday stress that could make this holiday season especially stressful.

Many national surveys are showing Americans are stressed this year, according to the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine. The survey showed that half of Americans are stressed at least once a week, and 1 in 6 are stressed every day:

• 75% are stressed about rising prices and holiday spending
• 81% of Americans are stressed about national and world issues
• 53% are stressed about increasing cases of colds, flu, COVID, and other illnesses
• 44% are stressed from memories of holidays past or facing the holidays after major changes in their lives

So, nurture yourself this holiday season. If your well is empty, you don’t have much to give others without draining yourself. I also try to realize that everyone I encounter this holiday season is dealing with things that I do not know of, and a smile, a kind word, or a compliment can go a long way in making the day brighter for someone.

Pace Yourself to Reduce Holiday Stress

Here are some simple strategies to help you reduce stress this holiday season:

• Shop Early: Shopping early reduces stress, so spending is spread out over two months or more.
• Delegate Party Setup & Cleanup: Consider booking us for holiday party setup and cleanup.
• Make Decorating Easier: Let us help you do holiday decorating for your home or business.
• Limit Commitments: Learn to say no; it’s kind to you. The holidays are filled with parties, school, and work functions. You don’t have to attend them all. Go to the gatherings that mean the most to you and the people you love. You tell people you have other plans, even if it’s curling up in your PJs and eating popcorn and watching a good movie or reading a book.
• Simplify Your To-Do List: Delegate and try to set realistic goals.
• Don’t Compare: This is tougher than we all think. Many times, our mind pulls up memories from the past or other people’s lifestyles, and we start comparing. Our ego has a field day with this activity. Realize you are where you are supposed to be at this time in your life. Try to give yourself grace.
• Don’t Get Overly Ambitious: Starting gifts from scratch, a gingerbread house, or elaborate school projects this time of year can push your stress levels high. Handmade gifts can be simple, and otherwise it’s best to start them during the summer.
• Make Choices That Are Best for You and Your Family: Follow your regular schedule as much as possible for meals, exercise, and sleep.

Give Yourself the Gift of Less Stress

You can reduce stress in just a few minutes. Taking the time for self-care this holiday season sets you up for better mental and physical health going into the new year. Try a few of these ideas:

• Be Flexible: Many of us approach the holidays with expectations and a vision of how things should be. This year, try to be open to possibilities! Try to adapt your favorite parts of the holiday season in meaningful and easy-going ways. Ask people what they would really want instead of guessing. Give yourself permission for fewer decorations and commitments this holiday season. Sometimes less is more!
• Release Tension When It Happens: Let go of stress by going for a walk, walking your dog, doing 5 minutes of exercise, listening to music, dancing while listening to music, reading, weeding your garden, or any other activity that is healthy and gives you joy!
• Soak Up Sunshine: When the sun is out between 10 am- 2 pm, expose yourself to the sun to help activate vitamin D in your body. Be sure to get enough vitamin D in the fall and winter months, and consider possibly taking a supplement.
• Stay Physically Active: If you can’t get outdoors during the day, go to a gym or walk the halls at work or at the mall. Exercise benefits you in so many ways. Being physically active is free, simple, and it’s a mood booster, plus it burns calories!
• Learn To Say No: Try not to overload your schedule. Make sure you have downtime at least an hour before bedtime, so your sleep is restorative. Overloading your schedule is a sure recipe for stress for you and others.
• Plan Stress-Free Time: Especially during the holidays, schedule stress-free time for yourself and your family. Make meals ahead or get dinner delivered. Let the kids put up the tree this year. Make sure you make time for some fun each day. It’s the little things people remember, anyway!

How to Make the Holidays More Peaceful

I think many of us would admit that the holidays and get-togethers during the year have become a little more stressful for some of us for various reasons over the last few years. How can you make the holidays more peaceful for you and your family? These are some of the things we have tried:

• Enjoy Family on Your Terms: Everyone does the holidays differently. It can be enjoyable to see family during the holidays, some people find extended family time stressful. Do what you need to take care of yourself. If football games drive you nuts, take a walk around the block, or go hang out in the kitchen with a family member you enjoy. Take a break from holiday gatherings by calling a friend or taking some alone time when you need it to recharge, relax, and renew.
• Respect Differences: This has been huge for many of us over the last years. People have very different ideas about religion, health, and politics. We all have different perspectives on things for many different reasons. You can have totally different outlooks and still love someone even if you don’t like one of their stances. We all do better when we seek first to understand rather than being understood. Seeking peace and understanding is what makes for a more joyous holiday season for everyone.

Let Us Help This Holiday Season

• Consider booking us for holiday party setup and cleanup
• We also do holiday decorating for homes and businesses