The Best Ways To Manage Stress During The Holidays

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year for most people. But for some, it can cause tremendous stress. Thinking about all the work you need to get done, gifts to buy, holiday parties you don’t want to go to can make the holiday cheer a little chilly. Everything is busier during the holidays. Juggling your work and personal life responsibilities can be hard. When it starts to get stressful, remember there are some simple things you can do to relieve stress. The holiday season can get chaotic, and it’s harder to make time for yourself. We all know how important it is to manage your stress and make your health a priority. Here are some tips on how to make the holiday season more manageable.

GET ORGANIZED

I make to-do lists. They seem to never end; shopping lists, gift lists, grocery lists, events, business deadlines. By organizing what you need to get done and setting priorities, you can save yourself a lot of stress and headache. Prioritizing can help you decide what can wait and what has to be done now which will help you avoid stress in the future. You don’t want to be running around putting out fires at work when you want to be at your children’s holiday performance.

You can avoid the stress of making unnecessary trips to busy, crowded stores and focus on only what you need to accomplish. I have simplified my life tremendously by shopping online. It isn’t always the same as buying in a store, but it saves so much time. I used to go out on Black Friday before daylight and shop all day. Now I cruise the online deals in my PJs. I get more accomplished and save valuable time to get work done. Another great perk, I am no longer exhausted from running countless errands. I have more time for myself, and I can show up better for my family!

FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH

One of the biggest was to help manage stress is eating good food and drinking plenty of water. Simple right? But it is the first thing we neglect when we get busy. You can’t eat sweets and drink alcohol then expect to perform at your normal high level of energy. What you put in your body can help to boost your energy. I am not saying that you need to avoid all the fun treats during the holidays, I know I will enjoy some of my favorite cocktails but you should try to enjoy them in moderation.

Planning ahead will help you make better choices. Make sure you focus on eating “real food” most of your meals. This will help you avoid getting to starvation mode then pulling in the nearest drive throughout of desperation. Drink lots of water! Coffee can be a good boost when you need some caffeine to get you over the hump, but it dehydrates you. Be sure to drink lots of water to stay alert and avoid the crash!

Who has time for exercise when you have a million things on your to-do list? Well, if you are starting to feel overwhelmed; I highly recommend stopping what you are doing or making time in your day to go workout. Exercise releases endorphins which help relieve stress! Another great side effect is that it gives you a great energy boost and enables you to focus. This will make you more efficient overall. You can get more done in less time and reduce your stress. Go and take your favorite workout class. Your family and work will thank you!

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

When you are focusing on being grateful, it’s really hard to be stressed. During the holiday season, people can be on edge. You don’t know what they are are going through in their lives. Make an effort not to take things personally and smile often. You never know who’s day you may lift if you say hello, give a compliment or simply smile. The more generous you are during the holidays will lift the spirits of those around you. Take time to enjoy the moment.

I hope you find time for yourself so you can be present and enjoy the time with your loved ones. I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous 2019!