How to Avoid Stress this Holiday Season

The holidays are such a happy time and yet they can be full of so much stress (conscious and subconscious). Since we all want to enjoy the holidays and not be bogged down with stresses of family, food, travel, to do lists, etc., let’s talk about some holiday stress tips. The number one thing to do in every regard is to prioritize. We somehow magically try to have it all and do it all this last month of the year and we end up forgetting to take care of ourselves whilst spreading ourselves too thin…

Holiday Stress Tips

The number one thing in all of these holiday stress tips is to prioritize. That takes a slightly different form in each category below, but really, you have to prioritize your overall health (mental, physical, and emotional) to have a stress free Christmas and holiday season.

Family Stress

Family stress is SUCH a thing and while all of our specifics are different, the feeling of frustration is certainly similar. Remember to prioritize your happiness over your unhappiness. If you’re constantly at odds with one (or more) people in particular, try to avoid being alone with them. Invite your significant other or another family member to join you. Sometimes even just having a family pet in the room can soothe tensions. Oftentimes, we anticipate a showdown which only leads to its inevitability. We can’t change other people, but if we focus on the positives of a get-together rather than fearing the worst, the outcome might just be a little brighter!

One of the other main stresses as it relates to family is trying to see EVERYONE in a short amount of time. When you start combining families, this is especially true. You don’t want to prioritize one part of the family over another, but you should prioritize your sanity. Set time limits for being with each that make you feel better and tell everyone ahead of time – don’t spring the duration of your visit on them. You can always get together another time (before or after the holidays). It’s also great to continue communicating with family members after you’ve left that particular get-together. Group texting helps to keep everyone connected even if you aren’t together the whole time.

Finally, you need to prioritize your health and happiness. If you can, spread celebrations out over a few days or a week, that’s better than six Christmases in one day – I hope nobody actually has that many! You’ll have better time with family and you won’t be a zombie by the third or fourth gathering. Alternatively, pick one activity at each house. Enjoy a meal together OR open Christmas presents together. It’s impossible to cram every family tradition into a short stretch of time.

Food + Fitness Stress

The stats of weight gain during the holidays never cease to amaze me. It all happens for a few reasons. First, we’re surrounded by indulgent food constantly. Second, our efforts to workout and keep moving get sidetracked. Third, almost every get-together is based around food and drink. Again you have to prioritize. When it comes to the constant presence of indulgent food, pick and choose what you’ll really enjoy rather than just stuffing your face with what’s there. I love cookies more than chocolates or cake, but maybe you’re just the opposite. Know what you really enjoy and try to just stick to that. I wrote a whole post with 7 easy tips on how to have healthy holidays {with recipes}. If food indulgence is your main stress, I can’t urge you enough to check that post out!

Next is working out. If you have a fairly regular workout routine, you absolutely have to prioritize it. Try to make every class. For those you have to skip, make it up somehow. Add a walk to your day or 20 minutes of yoga or pilates in the morning – something. Even if you don’t have a regular workout routine, KEEP MOVING! Walk as much as possible (park in the far parking spot or at the other end of the mall); Take the stairs; Do laps around your living room. It really doesn’t matter what you do, just keep moving. A fun idea is to plan a walking date with a friend you’re trying to see this season. Malls are usually open before the stores themselves, so you can get an indoor track of sorts that’s free of crowds – especially convenient for those of you firmly entrenched in winter weather now!

Third, the food and drink (mostly the drink). There are some good tips in the article I mentioned above about holiday food stress, but again – prioritize. At any given get-together, pick enjoying the delicious food or having a drink. I will caution that overdoing it on the drinks can often lead to overdoing it on the food, so set a limit for yourself. This helps with calories and saves you from doing or saying anything you might regret (even if it’s just eating 4 pieces of cake)!

Travel Stress

Travel stress manifests itself in all kinds of ways. Whether you’re running to catch a flight, stuck in dumb amounts of traffic, and/or just barely making it from one event to the next, it’s a major stress this time of year. While each of these things can bog you down, it’s great to think beforehand about how you can enjoy the time. Maybe you’ll have time to read all those magazines. Perhaps you can grab a nap. Maybe you can make some phone calls to friends and family you won’t be seeing this holiday season.

Taking 5-10 minutes to plan out your preparation for a trip and to plan out how you can enjoy the travel will save you so much energy! If you’re running from event to event, remember to be safe and not get focused about how many minutes late you’re going to be. You’re doing a wonderful thing trying to hit all the events, so arrive when you do and show up happy rather than angry! Everyone will be better for it.

TO DO List Stresses

In these last weeks of December, there is so much we want to do and need to do. Everything from presents to holiday cards to laundry to baking to cleaning to calling to…. The list goes on and on. This is another time when you have to prioritize you and your time. One of the holiday stress tips I have to remember is sorting out the things I actually HAVE to do versus what do I WANT to do on your list. I’m not saying to nix all the things you want to get done (holiday cards and cookie baking top my list), but remember that they’re desires not needs…

So maybe you only make two kinds of cookies this year, not three (even though so-and-so loves that third kind). Perhaps you ask your significant other or child to help with the holiday cards. My husband sealed and stamped all our cards this year and it was so nice to have that bit of help (and he didn’t have to write any cards – his least favorite thing!).

On that note, think about how people can help you. We women literally try to do everything ourselves, refusing to admit we could use some help. We have to stop. Let someone help, even just a little. And take the conveniences when you can. Order groceries for pickup or delivery for your cookie baking to save a trip to the store. Maybe even pay a couple dollars to have presents wrapped for you! Look for some conveniences that really will help you this time of year!

I hope one or more of these stress tips for the holiday season helps you as much as they help me. Here’s to having a little more fun than anxiety this holiday season! Cheers!