Surviving the Holidays
I’m not sure if I’m alone in this or not, but the Holidays bring out a special degree of stress for me. Between making sure my everyday stresses are met, coupled with the notion that it’s the season of giving, makes me feel like butter spread over too much bread (any Lord of the Rings fans?). Of course society plays a big role in placing this pressure among adults this time of year, but we also place pressure on ourselves.
We feel like we have to have the perfect gift to ensure that they know we love them, we have to cook the perfect holiday meal, or have the perfect career, the perfect relationship, the perfect life. If that isn’t satisfactory in our mind, then there’s always New Year’s Eve to iron out life’s kinks. The truth is that while giving to others inherently makes us feel good, it can go to the extreme into narcissism. So how do we strike that balance? I’m listing some feel good tips that might help you get through the stress with hopefully a bit more ease.
Try to get the shopping out of the way
Of course I planned on starting to get gifts near the end of October. Was I successful? Absolutely not. I have successfully bought one gift since then and its two weeks to Christmas. Although money can get tight, getting the majority of shopping out of the way sooner rather than later is a huge weight off. I plan on doing just that this weekend (Lord help my soul). All the shopping last minute not only keeps that stress of getting the task done stuck in your head, but it’s hard to relax really AT ALL when you know you’re on a time crunch. Do yourself a favor, you still have a couple weeks. Make it count, and sit back with some cocoa (and maybe some baileys).
Avoid Family and alcohol as much as possible
Unless you live in a Rockwell painting, families tend to butt heads, especially around the holidays. Political parties are split, so watching the news is a recipe for contention. Alcohol inhibits your ability to shut your mouth, and is fuel for drudging up past resentments. The combination of the two can be dangerous to say the least. I’m not saying to completely avoid your family and alcohol. Family, after all, is the reason for the season, and alcohol can actually calm some people from those issues. It’s the excess that creates the rubbing of elbows so be careful, because less is definitely more!
Make time for yourself
Time moves extremely fast during the holidays that it’s easy to stop taking care of number one – you. Make sure you have at least an hour or two before you go to bed to take a bath, read, and decompress after a long day. Mental breaks can help organize your priorities instead of just acting without thinking. Running to get a gift for that distant aunt without a plan can actually take you longer than if you took a few minutes to brainstorm. Work smarter, not harder. Planning that meal for Christmas dinner could lead you to write down a shopping list and grabbing the ingredients before the rush days before. There are so many things you can do to save time, effort, and stress that comes with a few moments of contemplation and rest.
Connect with your Community
So many times I see people posting on social media about how you have to focus on yourself and those you love all the time. Although this is somewhat true, it’s inherently self-absorbed if gone to the extreme. The world is becoming increasingly isolated, despite the globalization of the internet over the past 30 years. Christmas is a time of connection and giving, but when was the last time you gave to your community? What about someone who hasn’t done something for you first? Have you reached out or tried to help a stranger? There are many charities that go unnoticed but desperately need assistance this time of year. Remember that loneliness, depression, and even suicide rates increase this time of year. Although it brings loved ones together, those who have lost loved ones feel that loss even stronger. Find a soup kitchen, give gifts to children’s charities, or visit a hospital. One thing can make a huge difference and even boost your momentum and spirit this Christmas.
What tips do you have for maintaining your sanity this Christmas? I’d love to hear them because although I’m too blessed to be stressed – I am!
