Some of us cringe when we hear the words “the holidays". We picture ourselves drowning in a frenzy of wrapping paper, eggnog, and in-laws.
Sure, you love the holiday season - but just not so much of it! This year, you're hoping to cut the crazy out of Christmas: to trim the celebration back to one that is sustainable and calm.
Question is, just how do you do less - and enjoy it more - during the Christmas holiday season?
When my kids were growing up, Christmas was always a stressful time for me. Raising two special daughters added to the mix of craziness during this time, and I felt I could never truly enjoy the season. It seemed like I had so much to do between shopping, baking cookies, wrapping gifts, and attending Christmas gatherings.
I will never forget the time when my oldest daughter (a teenager at that time) and I were shopping right before the holidays. Christmas was always one of her favorite seasons and to see the stress in me really affected her. While we were shopping, she said to me with a kind smile, “Mom, can you please enjoy Christmas this year?” WOW!! That hit me like a rock. I never realized the impact that my stress had on her. After that incident, I changed my attitude and I have been enjoying Christmas ever since. Our kids watch us more than we know, so if you are like I was, think about the effect it is having on your kids. Changing your attitude will affect them for the good in the long run.
If you're aiming to simplify Christmas, take time to ponder ways to cut stress, save money, and tame over-the-top traditions. Setting simplicity strategies in place early will keep you from being swept up in holiday madness.
Stress is a physiological response. The part of our brain responsible for the stress response is the amygdala, an almond-shaped nucleus located in the temporal lobes that manages our memory, decision-making, and emotions. This part of our brain has been around since the stone age, back when having a stress response meant the difference between life and death in the wild. It acts as an alarm center and tends to serve as a thorough protective mechanism, leading to an overreaction to ensure that we get the message of inherent danger. The problem is that we no longer live in the wild. Living in this state of never-ending high alert no longer serves us, and in fact, fear and worry can hold us back.
So how can we stop stress in its tracks? The best way to do this is to use slow, deep breathing. It sounds simple, and it is. It is not the easiest thing in the heat of a stressful situation, but, with practice, one can reap the major benefits of this simple solution.
In addition, here are 5 other helpful tips for a stress-free holiday season:
Stress is a physiological response. The part of our brain responsible for the stress response is the amygdala, an almond-shaped nucleus located in the temporal lobes that manages our memory, decision-making, and emotions. This part of our brain has been around since the stone age, back when having a stress response meant the difference between life and death in the wild. It acts as an alarm center and tends to serve as a thorough protective mechanism, leading to an overreaction to ensure that we get the message of inherent danger. The problem is that we no longer live in the wild. Living in this state of never-ending high alert no longer serves us, and in fact, fear and worry can hold us back.
So how can we stop stress in its tracks? The best way to do this is to use slow, deep breathing. It sounds simple, and it is. It is not the easiest thing in the heat of a stressful situation, but, with practice, one can reap the major benefits of this simple solution.
In addition, here are 5 other helpful tips for a stress-free holiday season:
Take care of yourself first. Get plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet, do some form of activity, and carve out time for self-care. And remember to breathe. When we are stressed, we do not breathe deeply, which can amplify anxiety. If our bodies are houses, our health is the foundation. Imagine having a house without a floor. Lack of self-care leaves us vulnerable to getting sick and prone to getting more irritated by little things. Keep the foundation strong to be more effective and less stressed.
Plan ahead and do things in chunks. Do not feel the need to do everything in 1 day. Make a list and select 2 things that can be done each day leading up to the big day. This provides peace of mind. For example, purchase 3 candles for each niece or gloves for a son. If shopping in stores is overwhelming, shop online. This is what I do a lot. Break tasks down to more easily cross items off the to-do list.
Delegate tasks and get others to help. We cannot do everything alone. Can someone buy the turkey or the yams? Do the dishes? Clean the house? When we are pulled in so many directions, it becomes overwhelming. Minimize this by delegating.
Focus on experiences rather than things. So what if we get presents we do not want? Does it change the course of our lives if the mashed potatoes do not turn out perfectly? People will remember the experiences and how they felt, not the food or the fancy decorations. Take the kids ice skating and do something that does not require shopping or eating. Go for a drive and look at holiday decorations. Building memories is about the people we are with and the joy of the season.
Remember to laugh. Check out the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Where else can we see a squirrel in a Christmas tree or the tree catching fire because of Uncle Lewis’ stogie? Being light-hearted can boost our moods, ease tension, and even improve memory, according to a recent study.
Plan ahead and do things in chunks. Do not feel the need to do everything in 1 day. Make a list and select 2 things that can be done each day leading up to the big day. This provides peace of mind. For example, purchase 3 candles for each niece or gloves for a son. If shopping in stores is overwhelming, shop online. This is what I do a lot. Break tasks down to more easily cross items off the to-do list.
Delegate tasks and get others to help. We cannot do everything alone. Can someone buy the turkey or the yams? Do the dishes? Clean the house? When we are pulled in so many directions, it becomes overwhelming. Minimize this by delegating.
Focus on experiences rather than things. So what if we get presents we do not want? Does it change the course of our lives if the mashed potatoes do not turn out perfectly? People will remember the experiences and how they felt, not the food or the fancy decorations. Take the kids ice skating and do something that does not require shopping or eating. Go for a drive and look at holiday decorations. Building memories is about the people we are with and the joy of the season.
Remember to laugh. Check out the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Where else can we see a squirrel in a Christmas tree or the tree catching fire because of Uncle Lewis’ stogie? Being light-hearted can boost our moods, ease tension, and even improve memory, according to a recent study.
I hope this holiday season is filled with joy and peace for you and your family. Take time to pause and relax. You'll be glad you did!
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