6 Tips for a Low-Stress Christmas
When the holiday season arrives, it usually brings with it a lot of stress. The need to buy everything, do everything, and see everyone can be quite overwhelming!
However, to really enjoy the holidays, you need to reduce your stress – and you can do that by simplifying the season in several ways.
Below are six ways you can enjoy Christmas with very little if any, stress!
Plan ahead for everything:
Stress tends to come when we feel out of control – something that’s easy to happen during the holidays. Having a plan in advance helps you reduce worrying about being able to pay for everything or fit in every holiday party. Create a budget for spending, make a shopping list for gifts, and get started on any travel plans you need to make so you can have everything squared away well in advance.
Prioritize holiday activities.
Though everything sounds fun, you cannot do it all! Decide which events to attend and forget about the rest. Attend the get-togethers that are most important so you aren’t rushing around every day of December. Plus, limiting events will likely help your Christmas budget, too.
Ask others to host the big family dinners.
You don’t have to be in charge of the stressful holiday meals every year. This year, ask another family member to play host. Even if they do so in your home, due to space, you can relax and know someone else is taking care of all the plans.
Turn up the holiday jingles:
Cheerful music will help you reduce stress levels during the holiday season. Be careful not to listen to holiday tunes so much that you get bored with it. Put them on as you clean the house, drive in the car, or shower. Use the music sparingly for an immediate mood lifter!
Utilize freezer meals on busy weeks:
If you know there are lots of things going on during the week/weekend, make a few dinners in advance for your family. This way, no one’s hungry or standing in the kitchen for an hour when they need to be elsewhere. Make-ahead meals will reduce one area of possible stress during the holidays!
Do your gift shopping online:
Fighting crowds to buy holiday gifts can elevate stress levels for many. The thought of having to park 50 feet from the store, pushing and shoving for the items you want, and standing in a mile-long checkout lane may raise your blood pressure. All of this can be eliminated by online shopping from the comfort of your home!
And when all else fails, grab a bottle of wine and go for it! 😉
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