Holiday Stress Relief - Making it Through The Jolly Season With Your Sanity Intact
Ah, the holiday season. It’s
that magical time of year when we max out our credit cards, put on 20
pounds, and deal with relatives we wish would just email instead of
visit. But is that what it really should be about?
There is a way to actually
enjoy the holidays without the stress, pressure, and anxiety! (Seriously!)
Here are some simple holiday
stress tips to help you get through the season without ruining your
budget, waistline, or mental health:
Decide how much you’re going
to spend before the season starts. And then stick to it. Not having
a budget is a sure way to overextend yourself financially. You’ll know
that you’re creating a mound of debt every time you swipe your credit
card, but the real stress will hit when you get your statements in January.
Keep track of your spending, and when your budget is spent, your shopping
is done.
Offer to bring healthy snacks
to workplace potlucks and family get-togethers. There will be more
than enough bread pudding, fruitcake, apple pie, and chocolate-covered-everything
to go around. Your guests (and your waistline) will appreciate some
healthy alternatives, such as vegetable trays, fruit bowls, and the
like. You really do have a choice in what you eat at each and every
meal. Make the healthy choice. Your body will thank you!
Your Holiday Don’t Have
to be Stressful!
Get enough rest. The
holidays are a time when we stay up late putting the finishing touches
on the tree, baking yet another ham, or trying to avoid the crowds at
the mall. Holiday stress relief can be found between your sheet and
your comforter, where you can keep your body and your mind recharged
to help you deal with all of the obligations and anxiety. Never underestimate
the importance of a solid, restful night sleep.
Shop online as much as possible.
The less time you spend in line at the store, or stuck in traffic, the
better. Your internet connection is your holiday stress management friend,
and since many stores offer free shipping during the holidays, you won’t
have to worry about paying extra for the convenience.
Shop as early as possible.
Trying to keep track of what everyone wants for the holidays can be
an arduous task if you wait until the third week of December. Shop a
little at a time, then make sure to keep your gifts in a place that
is safely away from the prying eyes of children (and spouses).
Ask family and friends to
share in the hosting duties. You shouldn’t have to host every single
party of the holiday season. Tell your uncle how much everyone would
like to see his new fishing boat, and he’ll be happy to host a party
so you can limit your worries to showing up with the right kind of salad.
Just make sure you go out to the garage to look at the fishing boat.
These are just a few simple
ideas for surviving the holidays. You can use these ,
you may even enjoy the season this year!
About the author
author, speaker and coach specializing in stress management programs.
Ronnie has authored four books on stress management and healthy living
and conducts seminars and training for individuals, businesses, and
organizations. Specifically, he is the author and creator of Stress Busters and co-author
of 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health. He has
also been a featured stress expert in print, television and radio. You
can contact him at: 1-877-438-3048.
Tags: apple pie, bread pudding, comforter, finishing touches, fruit bowls, healthy alternatives, healthy choice, healthy snacks, holiday season, holiday stress, magical time, potlucks, restful night, sleep shop, stress relief, stress tips, swipe, time of year, vegetable trays, waistline
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