How to Manage Holiday Stress?

 

Managing holiday stress can be challenging. The difficult part is planning the meals and cooking the meals during the holidays. Another aspect of holiday stress is planning to entertain your guests, family members, and friends all at the same time. Yet, holiday stress can also be tough when you are shopping for someone that you do not know well. Nonetheless, knowing how to manage your stress is what makes you enjoy the holiday season and after the holidays are done.

Have five days or more of self-care for yourself before the holiday celebration. Find some time for yourself to have self-care days. Connect with someone to discuss your feelings and their feelings. Work on your journal to write down your feelings, emotions, and anything else that bothers you. Here is a list to help you control your stress.

1. Plan and have a budget for your holiday party.
2. Plan on how much you want to spend on shopping, meals, and entertainment.
3. Make a list of holiday movies that are appropriate for the family to watch.
4. Share the list with your family of what movies they want to watch.
5. Share a list of what meals you plan to make to celebrate with your family.
6. Use cinnamon, citrus, or lavender with pine essential oils in your diffuser to have a relaxing environment in your living room and at home.
7. Exercise together and eat healthy as a family.
8. Use battery-operated candles to decorate the dining table.
9. Keep decorations simple and ask your family for their input regarding decorations.
10. Clean the room before adding decorations and continue cleaning throughout the days before the celebration. 

Practice mindfulness in the morning. Walk outside for fifteen minutes. Try unfamiliar dance moves and dance in your home. Set a schedule for wrapping the gifts, cleaning, and cooking. Play Christmas music or music that makes you feel cheerful. 

Meditate in bed. You can also do Yoga poses in bed. Relax your mind and body by lying down and listening to guided meditations. Play basketball or other activities that make you exercise. Read something that you enjoy reading for five minutes a day. 

Read holiday stories or read stories that leave you feeling peaceful. Also, read your favorite holiday stories to your children. Take a walk, see Christmas lights around your neighborhood, and make hot chocolate at home while watching your favorite Christmas movie. Make your comforting soup to share with your family. Here are websites with more information about managing your holiday stress.  

How to Handle Holiday Stress-Psychology Today:

How to Handle Holiday Stress | Psychology Today

4 Mindful Tips to De-stress this Holiday Season-Johns Hopkins Medicine:

4 Mindful Tips to De-Stress This Holiday Season | Johns Hopkins Medicine

40 Expert Tips for a Stress Free Christmas-How to Relieve Holiday Stress-Woman's Day:

40 Expert Tips for a Stress Free Christmas - How to Relieve Holiday Stress (womansday.com)

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