Time goes by fast, especially during the holiday season. Adding parties, family visits, and shopping to an already hectic schedule can leave you feeling overwhelmed. However, if you take some time to plan and incorporate these simple tips, your holidays can be a bit more stress-free, with more time for celebration.
1-min tip: Set realistic expectations. Don’t feel pressure to have the ‘perfect’ holiday, because that will make things even more stressful for everyone. Decide what you can reasonably take on, and then stick to the plan. Also, don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ to things that stretch you beyond your means.
5-min tip: Make lists. Make to-do lists, gift lists, menus, grocery lists and more to stay on top of things and help reduce anxiety and stress. Keep everything in a central location — like a calendar — so that you can keep on top of your schedule as well.
15-min tip: Stick to a budget. Overspending is a source of holiday anxiety. Get together with family members and loved ones and agree on a gift-giving budget and stick to it. Have conversations and set expectations with significant others and children so that everyone is on the same page about what to expect.
30-min tip: Shop and prepare in advance. Get the grocery shopping out of the way a few days in advance (using one of your handy lists). Try using a grocery pickup service if it’s available at your favorite store, or order specialty and hard-to-find ingredients online.
This article first appeared in the November 2017 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
