How to deal with stress during the holidays

The holidays are supposed to be relaxing, but for many of us, they can be quite stressful instead. From long shopping lines to family drama, it can feel like there's a lot going on during this busy time of year.

If you're looking for ways to manage your stress or even beat it all together during the holidays, here are some tips that can help. Let's explore them.

Make your shopping list in advance

One of the best ways to avoid holiday stress is to make a shopping list in advance and stick to it as much as possible. This means not adding any last-minute items, resisting impulse purchases, and focusing on the tasks that actually need your attention.

Also, you don't have to create a shopping list just before the holidays. Instead, build and maintain a list of things you want throughout the year and indulge on them during this time.

Be prepared for bumps on the way

Another important strategy to manage holiday stress is to expect bumps in the road. After all, traveling or hosting family can be stressful, so try to anticipate potential challenges that may arise and plan accordingly.

And realize that there will be issues that you can never predict or plan for. So, it's important to stay calm and take things one step at a time.

Hire help or use services

If you're feeling overwhelmed with all the demands of the holidays, consider hiring someone or using services to take care of some tasks for you. Whether it's cleaning, cooking, gift shopping, or party planning, there are professionals who can help you manage your stress and ensure a smooth holiday season.

If hiring someone is impractical, you'll want to set small, manageable goals for yourself to avoid feeling overwhelmed. This might mean simply tackling one task at a time, or setting aside some time each day for self-care.

Involve other people

One of the most exhausting and stressful things about the holidays is having to plan everything yourself.

And having to then carry out most of the tasks too. Moms know this as they often have to take on a significant portion of it.

But there are other ways to share the load and avoid stress altogether. For example, you can organize a potluck dinner or ask someone else to host if you're feeling overwhelmed.

And consider involving your kids and partner in every stage of the holiday planning.

Make sure you create a visible visual calendar or a task chart and assign everyone their share of tasks. (Even this is an additional job that often falls on a homemaker's shoulders).

Getting your kids to brainstore decoration ideas or having your partner be responsible for cards, gifts, and similar tasks will take a great deal of stress off your mind.

And it should help others appreciate the effort that goes into making the holidays special.

Focus on experiences not things

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But they can also be quite stressful. This is because so much emphasis is put on acquiring things - buying gifts, decorating the house, and getting things perfect.

But what if we shifted our focus to experiences instead? What if we spent more time enjoying shared moments with the people we love instead of worrying about all the things we have to do?

Experiences are what matter most in life and they're what we remember long after the holiday season has come and gone.

Here are some ways to make experiences count:

1. Take creative pictures
2. Encourage the young people in the family to put on a play or show
3. Get your family together to cook one large dish or meal together
4. Do a service project or volunteer in the community

The holidays are meant to be joyful and fun - focus on that instead of all the things you have to do. And remember, with a little planning and flexibility, you can manage holiday stress and enjoy this special time of year.

Take back control of your wellbeing during the holiday season

The holidays can be a difficult but exciting time, but with a little bit of planning and effort, you can manage whatever comes up and enjoy the season.

Our tips include making a shopping list in advance, hiring help or using services to take care of tasks, involving other people, and focusing on experiences rather than things. So relax and take things one step at a time - you'll make the holidays a beautiful shared experience instead of one that fills you with dread.