On your mark, get set, go! The hectic holiday race is on! From mad-dashes to the mall, power cooking, trying to visit with a circuit of demanding relatives and running the day-to-day grind, the holidays often feel like a marathon. This year, our goal is to take a step back, focus on breathing calmly and get on track before we break a sweat. Here are our top 5 tips to bust holiday stress.
Make a plan:
Feel like the holiday to-do list is as long as Santa’s nice list? Jot down all incomplete tasks and group them together for a more efficient list. Prioritize the big jobs but tackle some of the small stuff first as it gives a sense of accomplishment and immediately cuts our list down to size.
Spread the joy:
Now that our list is neatly organized, assign family members with a few tasks of their own. Better yet, when friends and family offer to help out take them up on their offer! Even though we can do it all, there is no reason we have to!
Thanks anyway:
Jamming a prime holiday-time schedule with a multitude of commitments often leads to visit overload. It is impossible to accommodate everyone, so be up front about a hectic calendar and say no-thanks in advance instead of trying to squeeze everyone and every event in. A firm answer on attendance is always appreciated.
Take a “me” break:
The holidays are all about peace, love and joy, so we’re spreading some of it our way by making time for ourselves. Relax with a glass of wine and a favourite novel or schedule a rejuvenating massage… Whatever lets us unwind and recharge for the hustle and bustle of the days ahead.
A time for reflection:
From finding the perfect gift to cooking the perfect feast to being the perfect hostess or guest, it’s easy to get caught up in creating a movie-like holiday set up. Shift the focus on the wonderful things in life, both big and small and take the time to share them with loved ones.
Feature image: http://bit.ly/1x9yq6T
No comments