How to Stay Stress Free This Holiday Season!

While the holidays are filled with joy, laughter, and cheer, many may feel the underlying stress that's always present, whether it's planning a Christmas party, buying gifts, or hosting relatives. This article will share 5 tips to help you enjoy your holidays without stress!

Tip 1: Plan Simply and Early

When planning for the holidays, keep it simple to avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Planning simply—while everyone wants the holidays to be perfect—may not always result in perfection. Remember, everyone is human and makes mistakes, so don't stress over the small things that happen to everyone. Also, plan early to prevent feeling overwhelmed: set deadlines for yourself to stay on schedule. By setting deadlines, you give yourself breathing room to relax before the holidays.

Tip 2: Share Responsibilities

Don't hesitate to reach out and ask your family members, friends, or anyone else you're inviting. You can organize your get-together as a potluck: asking everyone to bring a dish while you also prepare one or two, so you're not solely relying on your guests. Be sure to communicate with your family and visitors about expectations. However, if you're not the biggest fan of reaching out and asking for help, you can buy pre-made items or find simple recipes to make things easier.

Tip 3: Prioritize Rest & Self Care

Make sure holiday stress doesn't affect your sleep. Don't lose sleep over holiday planning, trying for perfection; it's an unrealistic goal because everyone makes mistakes and life isn't perfect. Expect mistakes to be part of the holidays, and you'll be less annoyed and stressed when they happen. Remember, as the host, you can say "no" to certain events if you feel they may be draining. Holiday burnout is real, but losing sleep and prioritizing self-care are musts.

Tip 4: Stay Off Social Media

Avoiding social media is another way to reduce stress because it decreases social media comparisons. Don't compare yourself to others since everyone's situation is different. Also, remember that not everything you see on social media is true. By staying off social media, you shift your focus from perfection to being present and genuinely enjoying yourself. Keep in mind, not everything will go as perfectly as you want, but it will help you create memorable moments.

Tip 5: The Holidays Are About The Memories

Cultivate the mindset that the holidays are for creating memories and connecting with relatives, not for achieving perfection. If you let go of the mindset that everything must be perfect, you'll feel more relaxed during the holidays. These are days—or a few—where you can make special memories with loved ones and relatives you don't see often. Take advantage of this time, and remember to embrace any mistakes; they make the night more enjoyable.

I hope that everyone has an amazing holiday break, and an amazing time with friends & family! Happy holidays, everyone!