How to make your holiday season stress-free

The holiday season ushers in a great deal of joy and warmth.  There’s something extra special about this time of year, but it doesn’t come without challenges in order to keep it stress-free!

A great deal of added stress is seemingly dumped on our plates, and it can be hard sometimes to stop and catch our breath.  The pressure of finding gifts, rushing around in the hustle and bustle to visit everyone, having people visit you, getting to see relatives you miss–and even having to deal with those that aren’t always a joy to be around–can be a struggle, even for the most organized and productive among us.

I’m convinced, however, that this season really can be enjoyable and heart-warming, even with the stress involved.  Walking into this time of year with a great mindset and some helpful reminders is what gets me through the season in one piece, so I’d love to share  some stress-free holiday tips
with you.

For a stress-free holiday season, I try to…

Remember that perfect doesn’t really exist

Your cookies turned out like blobs. Your lights aren’t lighting up. Your kids  made a mess of your clean house just moments before the guests are about to arrive. Surrender your vision of what perfect is and just let. it. go. The only thing the people in your life care about is being able to hang out with you.  The stress-free version of you, that is!

Don’t feel bad about saying “no.”

You can’t do it all, and it makes absolutely no sense to try to do it all. There’s no reason to go to every party and event from now through New Year’s Day. Decide which ones are the most important to attend and politely decline the others. Spreading yourself too thin isn’t good for anyone–most of all, you.  It makes the time fly by faster, but in a blurred, less enjoyable way. You’ll savor the holiday months stress-free if they don’t whiz by in a blink.

Stay away from crash diets

We’ve talked before about reasonable ways to handle healthy eating during the holidays. Please don’t starve yourself in order to compensate for the extra calories you consumed–or are going to consume–at that holiday party. If you do slip up, forgive yourself and make a point to be more mindful. Don’t punish yourself for any mistakes. Just move forward with better decisions, stress-free.

Know that asking for help is okay

Let me repeat: you can’t do it all. Let family and friends help out when they offer. They can bring a dish, grab something from the store on their way, or help with washing the dishes. If you have to go to someone’s party and don’t have the time to make something, grab something pre-made from the store. There comes a time when we all need help.  All of us.  Learning how to accept it will be incredibly beneficial for your sanity.

Fit in stress-free time for yourself

Women, in particular, spend less than 30 minutes a day on themselves. We struggle to realize that some stress-free time is of great benefit to our health.  Go for a run, get a limited-edition special-roasted coffee at the corner café and sit there in peace, read a book, take a bath, or carve out some one-on-one time with your best friend without your kids tagging along.  You’ll feel full again, and your mind and spirit will be replenished and reinvigorated. We can’t pour from an empty cup, as the saying goes.

Remember, the holidays are all about joy, gratitude, and peace. Find yours within, and you’ll be able to spread more of it around, stress-free. 

What makes you feel most joyful? 

P.S.:  In just under a month, the New Year’s 5-Day Detox for Beginners begins!  Save the dates of January 14-18, 2019, because after all the holiday eats and treats, we’re going to need to cleanse–body, mind, and spirit.  You’ll feel soooo good when you get your wellness goals back on track for the new year. Want more info?  Let me know in the comments below.