3 Tips for Beating Holiday Stress

The holiday season should be a joyful time full of love and peace. Unfortunately, it’s also a very stressful time for a lot of people. The shopping, the large crowds, the number of social events to attend, the decorating, and the cooking, are just some of the many things that can make the season an overwhelming and stressful one. Fortunately, there are several tips for beating holiday stress.

Here are 3 tips for beating holiday stress:

1. Don’t Overcommit

The holidays are full of events. There’s corporate parties, there’s school functions, and of course, get-togethers with family members and friends. In addition to that, there’s projects to be done in preparation for holiday events: decorating, cooking and baking, making an ugly Christmas sweater, and more. If you say yes to every invitation that comes your way, and agree to help with everything, you’ll certainly be overwhelmed! Instead of truly enjoying everything, you’ll be stressed out, counting the minutes until it’s all over.

That’s why, one of the tips for beating holiday stress is to be picky about what you agree to. After all, it’s better to only go to a few events and partake in a few activities, but to really enjoy them, than to try to do it all.

2. Plan Ahead

One of the main sources of holiday stress comes from all the running around that comes with the season. When you’re spending every day rushing to complete tasks, you start feeling anxious and unable to enjoy what you’re doing. To avoid this, once you’ve established the events that you’ll be going to, and the activities that you’ll be partaking in, create a list of all the things you have to do. Be sure to include any shopping, baking, and anything else that’s holiday-related.

Once you have everything written down and in front of you, get a calendar and add it all on there. This will give you a plan that will keep you from running around at the last minute trying to get things done.

3. Do What You Like

Although the holidays are about giving and spending time with your loved ones, it’s important that you don’t forget about yourself. Instead of just thinking about everyone else and about what you can do for them, also think about what you will enjoy.

What do you like about the holiday season? Whatever it is, make time for it! Do you like holiday movies? Set aside a movie day. Yes, do things for others this holiday season, but also do something that you’ll be able to look forward to.

Those are the 3 tips for beating holiday stress. Follow them so that this holiday season can truly feel like the most wonderful time of the year – as it should!