4 ways to beat holiday stress
At the root of the stress we experience is the way we perceive a given situation and how we react to it. If you focus on the negatives, you can expect high levels of stress.
But if you try to see the good and the positive in everything, your stress levels will significantly decrease, experts say.
Holidays are a time when we gather with our friends and family to enjoy the festive moments. We all look forward to the holidays when we are away from school and work. However, the holiday period can be a huge source of stress.
Choosing suitable gifts, decorating the Christmas tree and the home, preparations in the kitchen – all this burdens us emotionally and can take away much of the joy from the holiday itself.
To protect yourself from this, follow these 4 tips to relieve the stress and enjoy the festive moments.
1. Don’t take on more than you can handle
If your family is expecting you to host the holiday gatherings this year, but you don’t think you’re up to it, don’t be afraid to turn them down and ask them to host.
You can explain that you have other commitments, or that you just don’t have time to prepare your home for a big party. At the same time, offer to help with the preparations by bringing some of the food or drinks. That way, you’ll still make an important contribution without feeling overwhelmed.
Prioritizing tasks can help you keep your stress levels under control. If necessary, make a list of everything you need to do and rank the tasks in order of importance.
According to a Harvard study, putting your goals down on paper helps dramatically increase your chances of success.
2. Do something fun every day
Holidays aren’t just a time for decorating and cooking, there’s also time for games. You can set aside some fun time to feed your spirit with people and activities that make your heart happy.
If you can’t afford that, spend time with family and friends doing something that doesn’t involve preparation and effort. Watching movies, playing chess or Don’t Be Angry Man, eating at your favorite restaurant – whatever.
3. Maintain healthy eating habits
During the holidays, you may be tempted to eat more treats than usual. Just think how you will feel afterwards? Promise yourself that you will stick to your normal eating habits during the holidays.
Remember that the compromise of indulging “only at Christmas” can then be extended by a few more days, a week or a month. This is also the surest way to obesity.
If you have a sweet tooth (and who doesn’t?), try making lower fat desserts. That way, you can still enjoy your favorite foods without worrying about how you’ll fit into your jeans.
4. Take things as they happen
Life is what happens as we make plans for the future. This old maxim only proves that we should embrace everything that happens to us, even if it is not planned at all.
The pie in the oven can easily burn, or the milk can boil on the stove, if during this time you dozed off or decided to take a shower.
You may go to the market with the intention of buying everything you need in a few hours. But only come back with 1-2 purchases. To regret what happened or could happen is pointless.
There is always a new day and new opportunities, so don’t worry if things don’t go according to plan. There is a solution to everything – whatever happens, learn from your mistakes and move on.
