5 Ways To Lower Holiday Stress

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year just like the songs says, however, they can also be the most stressful. With a little thought and planning, you can reduce some of that stress allowing you to enjoy this season of glad tidings.

One of the best things you can do, as soon as possible, is to grab your calendar and sketch out how the holidays will look. Get your whole family involved and compare notes. The last thing you want to do is miss your child’s recital or ballgame because you were double booked. Note any obligations or appointments you have, and if possible, consider moving them to next month.

1. Start each day with the right mindset. Get up early enough to pray and meditate before beginning your day. It doesn’t have to take long. This gives you a spiritual boost to navigate your way through whatever life throws at you.

2. Plan to have at least a few nights at home each week to enjoy the peace and quiet, wrap presents, watch movies, and just relax. These are the things that build memories. If you rarely go out or live alone, invite friends into your home or go out for dinner or a movie.

3. Don’t get locked into traditions. My children exchanged gifts from the time they were little. They’re now all in their 30s and have families, so this year they decided not to, so they could begin creating their own family traditions.

4. Don’t compare how you do the holidays to anyone else. You can always find someone who’s finished all of their shopping and wrapped their presents, has decorated their house, taken family photos, sent out their holiday letter, and has their entire Christmas meal all prepared. How you spend the holidays is totally up to you!!! Relax.

5. Journal. No matter how challenging your day, there’s always something to be thankful for as you lay down to go to bed. If nothing else, be thankful for the bad things that didn’t happen.

Some of my most fond Christmas memories were the simplest. The important thing is to remember the reason for the season and not let TV, retailers, and social media dictate how you spend it.

I hope these suggestions can help reduce some of your holiday stress and bring peace to your family. I’d love to hear any tips that you have.

Need practical gift ideas for the cook in the family? Check out some of my favorites.