Is it time to fight holiday stress? Most of us experience some level of stress during the holidays. Last minute shopping, agonizing over whether Uncle Pete will get along with Uncle Bob at the Christmas party, and wondering if everyone will like your homemade cookies can lead to stress. But if we stop to think about it, much of our holiday stress is self-created. Unfortunately, understanding that our angst is self-inflicted doesn’t make it go away. You need a plan of action to fight holiday stress.
10 Ways to Fight Holiday Stress
Take a Hike
I mean literally. If you follow me on Facebook, you know how I love my time on the trails. Do you know why? Because it’s calming, it relaxes me, and even during Indiana’s dark winter, I occasionally get to see the sun. Thirty minutes of hiking can relieve eight hours of stress.
Exercise
So, okay, hiking isn’t your thing, then find an exercise that is. Don’t excuse yourself from working out because you’re too busy with the holidays. Take a 30-minute break every day to exercise, and the stress relief will help you be more productive, not less.
Just Say No
Too many folks overschedule this time of year. It’s okay to politely say no. You don’t have to attend every event, do you? And if you’re worried an event may be stressful, don’t go.
Don’t Forget to Laugh
Have fun. Do things that make you giggle. Watch a funny holiday movie, go caroling with friends, or tell a holiday joke. “I told Santa you were good this year, and he hasn’t stopped laughing!” —Holiday Jokes. Check out The Health Benefits of Laughter
You. Are. Not. Perfect.
So don’t expect to be perfect and don’t expect others to be perfect. Loosen up and take it easy on yourself. This isn’t life or death. It’s the holidays. It’s a time to enjoy family and friends, not to fret over your imperfections.
Ask for Help
Honestly, do you think you have to do it all yourself? If so, you’re wrong. Spread the cheer, delegate, and let go. Ask for a little help.
Get Away
I’m not suggesting Skipping Christmas but take time for you, take an hour, a day, or a weekend, and get away from it all. Have fun, enjoy, and forget the chaos.
Be Happy, Don’t Worry
If you’re worrying about every little detail, you’ll have no time to be happy. When you find yourself being a worrywart, stop and ask yourself this. Is my worry founded? Is there anything I can do about it? If not, then quit worrying.
Create a Budget
And stick to it. Overspending is easy to do and insidious because it follows you well past the holidays. Cut back if you need to, but don’t overspend to keep up appearances. It doesn’t work.
Volunteer
There may be no better way to get over your concerns, to get over yourself, than volunteering to help someone less fortunate. It puts things in perspective.
A Challenge
If you’re a hostage of the holidays, if worry could be your middle name during the season, I have a challenge for you. Pick two of the ten and make it happen, and when you do, please leave me a comment. Now quit stressing out!
If you’d like to explore this topic further, try this, Mayo Clinic: Stress Depression and the Holidays.
How Can I Help You?
I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me.
So, does your business have a management training plan? Because, if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out. It might help you stop putting off what you want to do.
Photo by Kevin Dowling on Unsplash
