Holiday stress can ruin the season, making your parties and presents difficult, rather than fun. But it doesn’t have to be that way! There are lots of ways you can handle holiday stress, and diminish it, making the season fun again. Here are my tips for handling holiday stress… see what you think!
1. PRIORITIZE
There is no way anyone expects you to get everything done, perfectly, all by yourself, every day — except you. Don’t do that to yourself! Make a list of the things you need to get one (a REASONABLE list), in order of importance, and focus on that. Remember, be realistic! This ought to help bust at least a little of that holiday stress.
2. EXERCISE
It’s long been known that exercise is a great stress-buster, so even if you’re overbooked and over-worked this holiday season, make time for exercise! If you don’t have time for the gym, or to work out to your favorite DVD at home, then take a class with girlfriends and spend some QT with them at the same time… multi-tasking!
3. MASSAGE!
If you’re the type of girl who loves a good massage, schedule an appointment for a one-hour massage at your favorite parlor, gym, or spa. You’ll be so glad you did, as the massage melts the stress away. Ah!
4. MAKE IT A TEAM EFFORT
You’re a one-woman army, efficient at accomplishing everything on your holiday to-do list… but if stress if bringing you down, enlist the aid of some buck privates! Your sig other or your kids can pitch in on some of the smaller (or less enjoyable) tasks… they benefit from your work, so they can help out!
5. TRY YOGA OR MEDITATION
A few minutes of peace a quiet to reflect on what the holiday season is all about can really be helpful at beating holiday stress, too. Yoga and stretching, or just peaceful meditation can provide this benefit in as little as ten minutes.
6. DON’T DO IT ALL
Maybe it will help your stress level if you learn to say “no.” that one tiny word can mean the difference between constantly rushing around like a crazy woman, and one tranquil night at home all to yourself. No! Say it with me! No!
7. PLAN AN AFTER-HOLIDAY PARTY
There’s a very good reason why a lot of service-industry companies plan their own holiday parties after the holiday: it’s so much more relaxed! This isn’t a bad idea, is it? Maybe you could schedule your own holiday party after the New Year, when everyone’s calmer, and your favorite caterer is actually available to help.
