7 Exhausting Ways How Not to Survive the Holiday Stress
Let's ensure the festive season becomes a vortex of stress
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The holidays can bring happy memories of spending time with loved ones and taking breaks from work. However, there’s also a dark side to the holiday season that many people experience — feeling stressed out.
Instead of trying to fix the problem, let’s explore some fun ways to make the holidays even more overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Check out these seven ideas for turning your otherwise enjoyable break into a full-blown source of tension!
Set Unrealistic Expectations
Aim for perfection in every aspect of the holiday. Overburden yourself with the notion that you can do it all. When you fall short of these unrealistic expectations, allow guilt and stress to take over.
Never Say ‘No’
Accept every invitation, request, and demand, regardless of your capacity or interest. Overcommit yourself, ensuring you’re stretched too thin and unable to enjoy any of the activities you’ve agreed to.
Neglect Self-Care and Personal Needs
Completely ignore your own needs in favor of incessant holiday preparations. Skip moments of relaxation or self-care. Overlook the importance of good sleep and personal joy, ensuring you’re drained and stressed.
Abandon Your Healthy Habits
Let the holiday season be an excuse to completely abandon your healthy lifestyle. Skip workouts, indulge excessively in food and drink, and ignore the benefits of staying active. This will guarantee you feel lethargic, guilty, and more stressed.
Try to Control Every Little Thing
Embrace the urge to micromanage every detail, no matter how small. Insist on doing everything yourself, and when things inevitably go wrong (as they sometimes do), let the stress consume you. Ignore the possibility of delegation or acceptance that not everything needs to be perfect.
Leave Everything to the Last Minute
Why plan when you can procrastinate? Embrace the chaos of last-minute shopping, unannounced family visits, and impromptu holiday feasts. Who needs peace and order when you can thrive in pandemonium?
The Real Essence of the Holidays
Contrary to popular belief, the holiday season is not about joy and togetherness. It’s about stress, exhaustion, and unattainable expectations. So, if you’re looking to not just survive but thoroughly exhaust yourself this holiday season, follow these seven steps closely.
Remember, it’s not the holiday cheer that counts, it’s how well you surrender to the stress. Embrace the chaos and let the holiday pandemonium reign supreme!
Serious Note
The tips mentioned might make your holiday stress worse, but they also give us clues on how to have a better holiday experience. Instead of following those tips, try doing the opposite this year. Focus on taking care of yourself and enjoying the holiday season without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Don’t let the pressure to buy gifts or host parties get to you — prioritize your own happiness instead. Remember, the holidays should be a time of joy and relaxation, so don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way.