Sarahritchie17 Do you ever feel like you can’t fully enjoy the holidays because there is so much to think about, worry about, plan, and put together? Does it ever feel like there’s more chaos than joy in this season? Do you ever feel like you have to cover up your stress because society tells you “it’s the most wonderful time of the year?”
If the answer is yes to one or all of those questions, you’re not alone. Holiday stress, depression, and anxiety are all very real things that affect most adults and people of all ages during the months of November and December.
On top of figuring out what gifts to get everyone on your list, you may be balancing a busy event schedule, trying to bring everyone around you holiday cheer, and still trying to keep up with the everyday normal life responsibilities you have. There are reservations to be made, cards to be sent, decorations to put up, and a lonnnng list of online orders to track. My head is spinning just thinking about all that.
And oh, by the way, there’s still a global pandemic going on…
This post is as much for you as it is for me. I’ve been feeling the stress lately, so I wanted to dig into some of the ways I’ve been coping with the chaos and also do some research into other ways to keep calm in the holiday hubbub. Below, you’ll find a list of 12 tips for managing and mitigating holiday stress, sorted into “Getting It All Done” and “Self Care.” I’ve also listed the reference articles I looked at if you want more tips as well as some additional resources.
Getting It All Done
1. Set aside time, then just do it.
What’s the one toughest thing on your to-do list right now? The thing you’ve been putting off for weeks. Maybe it’s doing the gift shopping, maybe its wrapping the presents, maybe it’s addressing the Christmas cards—whatever the big scary thing is for you. I want you to really think about how much time it would take you if you did it all at once. 1 hour, 3 hours? Can you set aside that amount of time today or tomorrow or sometime this week and just get that one thing done? Once you get that knocked out, I promise you’ll feel more confident, productive, and ready to conquer the rest of your holiday to-do list. Schedule a time to really focus, and if you can just do the dang thing, you’ll find the momentum you need. I did this with online gift shopping about a week ago, and it felt like a huge weight off my shoulders when I was done.
2. Have a bite-sized to–do list.
If that first tip just doesn’t work for you, and for the things that just feel too overwhelming, break them down into bite-sized items. Maybe you just address 10 cards today or get one package in the mail. If you wrap the presents as they come in the mail, maybe it’s more manageable than waiting for all of them to come in and wrapping them all at once.
3. Make a budget and stick to it.
Often, personal finances are a major holiday stressor. Check out my blog post, Holiday Budgeting: 5 Easy Steps to Gift Intentionally and Avoid Overspending, for instructions and templates to create your own budget for this holiday season. Reach out to your friends and family and agree on a price range for gifts. It’s better to just ask than to wonder if you underspent or overspent. It’s also perfectly acceptable to ask for a wish list. Shopping from a wish list is the easiest way to find a perfect gift.
4. Stay organized.
I don’t know about you, but I did more online shopping than ever before for the holidays this year. I was stuck in quarantine when I would normally do my in-store gift shopping. At any point over the last couple weeks, I probably had about 10 packages enroute. Yikes! I love the convenience of Amazon, but it can get confusing when each item comes in its own box. Most websites are great about providing tracking info and sending you emails, but when you’re ordering from a bunch of different companies, it’s easy to get confused and forget about one. To keep track of all the shipments, I made a list in my phone and checked them off as they came in. This was an easy way to keep myself organized and know when to check the mailroom (which was pretty much every day anyways).
5. Set priorities and boundaries and stick to them.
When my to-do list feels so out of control that I don’t even know where to start, I pick the top 3-5 items and copy them over to a new list. Realistically, I know that I can only get 3-5 irregular things done in a day depending on what they are. Maybe that number looks different for you, but be honest with yourself. What absolutely needs to be done today? What can wait until tomorrow? What is not a priority to get done before the end of this year? Sometimes you have to pick and choose things and be able to say no to all the other things. Think about what boundaries you may need to set. Does having a regular bedtime protect your peace and health? Can you set aside an hour or 30 minutes for yourself each day? Do you need to set boundaries with family and friends to protect your mental sanity?
6. Automate and ask for help. You don’t have to do it all.
When you start to feel like you’re not “keeping up with the Jones’s,” remember that most people that look like they’re doing it all have a lot of help in the background. Nowadays, you can automate your grocery shopping with pick-up and delivery options, and you can get your holiday card envelopes shipped to you already addressed. Decide what is not worth your time and see if there’s a way to automate the task. If you can’t automate it, can you ask someone for help? Have the humility to admit that you, as a normal human being, cannot do it all. You’ll thank yourself later on when you’ve made the time and space to actually enjoy the wonderful parts of the season.
Self Care
1. Let yourself feel.
We’re humans, and as humans, we have feelings. Don’t ignore your stress. Let yourself vent or cry; whatever you need to do. Have the compassion for yourself that you would for your best friend.
2. Practice yoga, meditation, and mindfulness.
Take some time each day to focus on just one thing. Breathe in and out and let yourself relax. Build time into your busy schedule to slow down and take a moment to reset. There are great 15-minute yoga practices on YouTube and short meditation podcasts you can listen to if you need a guide.
3. Lean on the people and things that bring you joy.
People who truly love you will be there for you whether it’s your best day or your worst. Don’t be afraid to lean on them. Sometimes a simple call with a friend can change the tone of your whole day.
4. Be present.
Be able to let go of your iron grip on planning the perfect holiday festivities, and actually enjoy them once they happen. Be present with the people you love. Enjoy the precious moments when you’re doing the things you worked so hard to plan. Don’t stress about what the next thing is. Rest assured it’ll all get done.
5. Incorporate enough sleep, mindful eating, and exercise.
It’s easy to slip on healthy habits during this season. While it’s good to give yourself a break, don’t let yourself spiral out of control. Setting a few intentions for yourself to stay healthy can go a long way. Sleeping, eating healthy, and exercising are all ways to reduce stress. Make sure you budget some time for the habits that make you thrive.
6. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help.
Sometimes even the greatest list of holiday-stress-reducing tips can’t get you out of your slump. If things are beyond what you can handle, don’t be afraid to seek professional help.
Resources
- Professional Counseling with a Licensed Therapist – https://www.betterhelp.com
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
References
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
- https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-and-managing-holiday-stress-3145230
- https://www.healthline.com/health/holiday-stress#seeing-a-doctor
I hope these tips may help to reduce some of your stress or at least help you manage it. The holidays may be tougher this year than previous years because the world looks a lot different right now, but know that we’ll get through and be stronger for it. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever you celebrate this season. May you and your loved ones be blessed with peace and joy.
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Cheers!
Sarah
