We are always looking for ways to make the Christmas Holiday Season less stressful and relaxing. Here are 12 Tips you may find helpful in reducing stress levels.
- Start With a Vision– Start your holiday with a clear vision of how you want it to go. Share your thoughts with your family and friends.
- Set Goals and Prioritize – Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t attend every party or participate in every activity.
- Organize and Simplify – Find easy-to-implement steps for having a more organized and productive holiday season. Identify ways to simplify. Organization is no longer a luxury; it’s a matter of survival!
- Care for Yourself and Set Limits – Find time to take care of yourself –physically, mentally and spiritually. Remember to keep any medical appointments and checkups to stay in control of your health. Get enough sleep, carve out quiet time, meditate read inspiring literature, write in a journal, visit a library, study, or listen to music. Avoid tobacco and watch less TV.
- Be Safe – Whether traveling long distances, hanging lights, or simply stoking the fireplace, it’s important to pay extra attention to safety around the holidays.
- Stay Financially Fit – We are responsible for our own happiness and health during the holidays. Having a good holiday is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. Decide to make financial and time commitments that you can keep this holiday season.
- Eat Well – Some things you can do to keep things under control: Limit your portions, don’t go to a party hungry, steer clear of items high in fats, watch out for high calorie foods and beverages, and drink lots of water. There is no harm in trying new things; you can sample that 5 cheese and salsa dip, but don’t eat half the bowl!
- Be Active – Find opportunities to stay active to help you feel better, more energized, focused, and fit for the demands of the season. Go for a walk and spend time outdoors.
- Get Connected – Work with those you love to create meaningful traditions and routines that can be part of future holidays. Get in touch with old friends.
- Explore New Experiences – Trying something new. A refreshing exercise, like Tai Chi, is a great way to keep fit, bust stress, and meet new friends this holiday season
- Give – Commit random acts of kindness, volunteer, visit the elderly or donate money, clothes, toys, food.
12. Have Fun – Play, sing, laugh, enjoy. Experience the joy, excitement and wonder of the holiday season. Remember what the holiday season was like when you were a kid or look at it through your children’s eyes.