Joy, excitement, anticipation...and stress.  These are four very common emotions that run high during the  holiday season. And in all honesty, we could do without the fourth one--stress. After all, having a panic attack in the middle of singing Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer is not fun for anyone. If we desire joy, peace, and happiness, why is it that we let ourselves succumb to the madness of the season? We believe there are two major reasons.
  1. We focus so much on others and forget to take care of our own needs.
  2. We get caught up in the whirlwind of holiday activities and forget to take a moment to breathe.
If you’re looking to take the stress out of the holiday season this year, we recommend you take to heart the following tips....

Tip #1 -- Make Time for  Self-Care

It’s the season of giving. And trust us, there’s nothing more wonderful than giving your time, attention, and resources to others. That being said, it’s not okay to forget about yourself. Self-care is necessary if you want to keep stress levels low and be able to remain calm when the cat knocks all the ornaments off the tree or when your in-laws have overstayed their welcome. Make time every day to do something for you--whether it be making a meal you love, sitting down with a good book, or watching your favorite television show. We promise, there’s nothing wrong with asking your partner to bake the cookies for your kid’s class party or saying no to an event so you have time to stay home and relax.

Tip #2 -- Say No to Things You Don’t Want to Do/Don’t Have Time For

Between organizing parties, attending events, hosting fundraisers, and other activities, there’s a lot on your schedule during the holidays. It’s easy to overbook yourself...especially if you’re a people pleaser who doesn’t want to disappoint. But, the reality is, you just can’t do it all without getting stressed out. This year, say no to the things that you don’t want to do or don’t have time for. Your office holiday party will still be a hit even if the cupcakes you bring are store-bought instead of homemade, and your town’s holiday festival will still go on without your presence. Slim down your schedule this year, and you’ll find the season much more enjoyable. We promise.

Tip #3 -- Get Organized

One of the best ways to manage holiday stress is to get organized. And even at this point in the month, there’s plenty you can do to get ahead before overwhelm and stress get too out of hand. Here are a few ideas…
  • Sweet lovers--Schedule a grocery trip to get all of your baking supplies at once. Store it in your pantry so it’s ready whenever you get the itch to bake.
  • Party attendees--Make sure you place all your events on a calendar so you can clearly see how your time is scheduled.
  • Gift givers--Make a list of all the gifts you’ll be purchasing this year. Then schedule a shopping day to get all your shopping done.
We recently wrote a post on ways to get organized for the holiday season. Check out some additional ideas and read the blog here.

Tip #4 -- Keep Things Simple

There’s no need to overcomplicate things during the holidays. Yet, it’s something too many of us seem to do (especially after reading Southern Living or a lifestyle blog that makes you want to wow friends and family and attempt your own centerpiece made out of fruit). Fret not, overachiever. Here are a few ways to keep it simple and lower your stress levels:
  • If you love baking, but don’t have time to make everything from scratch, buy premade cookie dough.
  • If you want to give your loved ones gifts this year, but are stressing out over what to buy them, give them money or gift cards.
  • If you’re hosting a holiday party, but are worried about making dinner and prepping for all those people, have the event catered.
You get the idea...keep it simple!

Tip #5 -- Practice Meditation or Deep Breathing Exercises

Meditation and deep breathing exercises are scientifically proven to clear your mind, slow your heart rate, and reduce your stress levels. If you’re feeling stressed, try to practice some form of meditation each day. Not sure where to start? We recommend taking a yoga class or a meditation/wellness class in your community. Or, if you’re looking for a free option, check out YouTube. Search for “yoga instruction” or “deep breathing exercises,” and pages of free videos will pop up for you to use.

What do you do to stay stress-free during this busy season? Let us know in the comments below!