If you’re anything like me, you tend to get more busy, more frantic and more stressed during this time of year. You put all kinds of pressure to be the perfect host, attend every event, and give the most inspiring or creative gifts to your loved ones.
Hogwash! The holiday season is supposed to remind us to be thankful for all our blessings and to enjoy some well-deserved downtime with the people we love and cherish the most.
So why not do things that will reduce stress and stay balanced during the holiday season.
Here are my 5 suggestions:
Let go of the pressure to be perfect. You don’t have to have the perfect Christmas tree. Your table does not have to look like a Pinterest board and your food doesn’t have to look like a spread in Bon Appétit. The holiday season is about gratitude and togetherness. No one cares is you eat off paper plates.
Take one step at a time. Whenever I was stressed, I remember my Mom telling me this over and over and over again. Don’t try to do everything all at once. Tackle your task list one item, one project at a time, and if something doesn’t get done, so be it. Chances are, no one will know but you.
If it isn’t a HELL YEAH, then say no. Tis the season for holiday cheer. Get-togethers are abundant. Just because you are prioritizing a quiet night at home with your family, doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or missing out. When you get an invitation and you’re not thinking, HELL YEAH, then just say no.
Let your children wear sweatpants. Yup. I mean it. What they wear to Church or even for the family photo is not a battle worth fighting. Ask yourself, will you care 5 years from now?
Play board games. Board games give us a simple and free way to connect and re-connect with people. Some of our favorites are Sorry, Charades and Dragonwood.
What things do you do to reduce stress and stay balanced during the holiday season? I’d love to know. Leave me a comment below.
Of course, if you enjoyed this post, I’d love it if you’d share it with your world.
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash
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