Whether you’re wrapped up in cooking, shopping, or wrapping paper, the holiday season is often a stressful time, but with the right mind-set, you don’t have to stress over the holidays. Check out these tips to help you relieve stress during the holiday season.
Stick to a Budget
Seventy-five percent of Americans agree that money is a major stressor. In 2013, Americans plan to spend an average of $786 on Christmas gifts alone, says a Gallup survey, but you don’t have to let the cost of the holidays get you down if you plan it out ahead of time. Use these tips to remain stress-free when holiday shopping:
- Determine how much money you have to spend and decide how much you’ll spend on gifts, food, decorations, charity, etc. before you start shopping.
- Decide on your gifts ahead of time to make sure your ideas are feasible. Your gifts may seem affordable at first until they begin adding up.
- Narrow your gift list to family and close friends so you don’t overspend.
- Shop online to avoid impulse shopping. If Canadian shoppers spend $3,720 per year on impulse shopping, how much do you think you’re wasting?
- When you head to the stores, bring along a detailed shopping list so you don’t buy items you didn’t plan for.
Create a Schedule
The holidays often come with numerous tasks such as attending parties and concerts, taking countless shopping trips, organizing gift exchanges or caroling groups, and taking on various other responsibilities. With a hectic schedule like this, you can help reduce your stress by getting organized and creating a detailed schedule.
While you’ll want to include parties, events, and performances on your calendar, you can really keep cool if you create shopping dates, include deadlines for sending out holiday cards, decide when to decorate, and record other tasks around these duties.
Downsize Your To-Do List
Sometimes you end up with so many responsibilities that you can’t possibly fit them all into one month. With so many parties and tasks weighing you down, you can rid yourself of some of this stress by keeping your to-do list small so that you have more time and energy to devote to your more important responsibilities. Consider these tips to downsize your to-do list during the holidays.
- Say no to parties and other obligations that take up too much time.
- Forget about dishwashing by using disposable dishes.
- Cut back on your decorations so you don’t have to spend as much time decorating.
- Keep unnecessary obligations or traditions off your list.
Take a Breather
If you’re still feeling stressed, feel free to take a break from the holiday madness and allow yourself some alone time. Hit the gym to burn off steam and boost your mood, read a book to relieve your anxiety, or spend the night cuddling with your special someone instead of worrying about the holidays. If you find that you have anxiety issues year-round, perhaps you should see your doctor and order Canadian Pharmacy meds to relieve your anxiety.
Focus On Meaningful Connections
With so many people in your life, from family and friends to coworkers, it’s difficult to find time to enjoy them all during the holidays. The good news is that you don’t have to. Focus on the connections that really count toward your well-being and kindly let the others know that you’re too busy. Chances are, their holidays are hectic, too, and they’ll understand.
If you have family visiting, consider skipping the company Christmas party so you can enjoy your family. Give you and your friends a break from each other for a while to tend to your own tasks. If your meaningful connections come from your friends, perhaps invite them over for the holidays instead of worrying about your extended family who would rather be with their friends, too. Wherever your heart lies, focusing on this will help brighten your mood and alleviate your to-do list instead of wearing you down.
The holidays are a tough time, but you don’t have to let them rip you apart if you use these tips to stay sane and keep your cool.
Author Bio:
Abigail Clark is an up-and-coming freelance writer. She graduated from The University of South Florida with a bachelors in marketing, minoring in journalism. When she isnt up to her neck in coupons she is enjoying the outdoors fishing. She loves doing reviews for technology, home products and beauty products. If you would like her to do a review for you look her up on twitter @downtownabby17.