How To Be Less Stressed During The Holidays
For many the holiday season can be a highly stressful time. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few of my tips on how to de-stress, have fun, sit back, and enjoy the holiday season.
Think positive thoughts
A lot of misery comes from how you look at things. If you dread the holidays you will have a negative attitude while you are doing anything holiday related. Don’t be a Scrooge, instead think of the positive aspects of the seasons. Think of the joy when you give someone a gift they’ve been wanting, think of the lights, the food, think of anything positive that you can think of during the holidays. Also, don’t go into shopping or celebrating thinking “I have to do this.” Don’t tell yourself “Oh I have to buy so-and-so a gift,” instead think “I want to buy so-and-so a gift.” A lot of happiness is found in positive thoughts and the way you frame things, so think positive thoughts and let those shape your experiences!
Take a day for yourself
The holiday season can be stressful and oftentimes you end up doing a lot of things for other people. But it’s okay to be a little selfish too! Take a day during the season and do what you want to do! Go see that Christmas movie or go for a stroll and see beautiful lights. For one day do what you want to do most, even if it isn’t holiday related. Even if you don’t have time to spend a whole day by yourself, plan an evening or an afternoon. Engage in a little self-care and a little R&R. We all need a little time to recharge and de-stress, so don’t feel bad about it. Instead take some time off from whatever stresses you have in your life and focus on yourself for a little bit.
Bring back childhood memories
Most of us who grew up celebrating during the holidays have a favorite memory from our childhood. Maybe it was when you were gifted your dream toy or maybe it was eating your favorite Christmas breakfast. Whatever your favorite memory was you can find a way to relive it today. Maybe you loved watching a certain holiday movie, if that’s the case rewatch it this holiday season. Make some popcorn, wear your coziest pajamas, and enjoy your favorite childhood holiday movie. Whatever your favorite holiday memory from the past was, find a way to recreate it during your celebration this year. Nothing beats nostalgia!
Don’t overdo it
The holiday season should be a joyous time, not a competition or a race, so don’t overdo it. Sure lights and decorations are pretty but if you dread putting up an entire display, simply don’t do it. Instead just put up what you want to put up, and if that means nothing at all, then that is fine too. Also, when it comes to spending don’t go over your budget just because you feel you have to. The people who truly care about you should understand if you can’t spend big bucks on gifts. When it comes to the holiday season it doesn’t have to be overdone. Celebrate it how you want to and don’t overdo it.
Remember real meanings of holidays
I think too much emphasis is put on the commercialization of the holidays and a lot of us forget the true meanings. For whatever holiday you celebrate during this season there is a true meaning behind it and it isn’t about how much money you spend or how big your light display is. Don’t forget to remember that true meaning and celebrate that as well!
