How to beat holiday stress

Posted on by Forest in General, Health, Opinion, Stress and mental health

We all need some tips on how to beat holiday stress at this time of year! It’s into December already, you need to buy presents, write cards, buy food, plan menus, speak to family, organise trips blah blah blah and it’s getting stressful, I know, I know I have done nothing myself! But it is ok, sit back, relax and read on….

How to beat holiday stress tips

Ok first of there is one tip that overrides each and every tip that I or anyone can give. If something goes wrong, you burn a turkey, forget to send a card, whatever it does not matter one bit. if someone else gets stressed who cares. I know that’s easy for me to just say but honestly this tip has kept me sane year after year in many situations. As long as I try my best I don’t care what the outcome is.

I also find just by keeping a level head that generally things don’t go wrong. Less time stressing is more time planning and frees up space in your head for thinking about more important things.

Lists are your best friend

I have a date with a notepad and a pencil tonight. It’s Dec 5th at the time of writing and I have not started any planning. That is because I know that it’s no big deal once tonights list writing is over. I will be writing a list for cards to send, presents to buy, dates that need to be kept free, where I am going, who is coming over and combined with a wall calendar it’s likely the only thing that will put a spanner in the plans is not sticking to the lists. Keep them on a table in a visible place as a reminder very morning and eve before and after work and make sure you cross things out every day and you will keep on track.

Practise relaxation techniques

No matter how well planned you are stress will hit at some point. Your shoulders will tense up, brain freeze and brow will furrow. This is why you need to have ways to disperse and let go of this. Reading a book for an hour, taking a nap or just doing some simple breathing may seem like a waste of time but stress free time is far more productive so it’s worth taking time out. I recently wrote an article about top relaxation techniques that may help in these tough times.

Eat and sleep well and be careful with alcohol

One of the biggest downsides of the holiday season feels like an upside but is a large cause of stress to your mind and body and could effect your whole mood over the season. Invitations for restaurant foods, late night drinks and general time sapping, health killing activities are splattered throughout this month. I am not for one second telling you not to do them but be sensible and try and get your 8 hours every night, drink plenty of water and stay low on portions. Try hard to not drink more than two alcoholic drinks in a night and if you do then make sure your meals the next day are healthy and detox orientated rather than listing to your mind and having pizza and fries for breakfast. Also whilst planning at home and driving around doing shopping and things eating can become erratic and fast food can seem like a good time saving idea. Make sandwiches (with healthy bread) keep your diet in check and immune system up. Your body and mind will thank you.

What Tips to reduce holiday stress do you recommend?

I would love to know what your tips are on how to beat holiday stress and what keeps your plans on the right path. I think I deal with this time of year very well but I don’t have children so of course that is one area that I can’t imagine how to deal with.

Thanks for reading, It is always appreciated.

Tags: christmas stress, dealing with stress, holiday stress, Relaxation Tips, stressful times, tips to reduce holiday stress