Do you feel like there’s never enough time for everything on your to-do list around the holiday season? Do you feel like the month of December goes by in a big blur? Have no fear, I have a compiled a few tactics for you to employ to save you some stress this year…
Envision how you want your holidays to be.
Sit down and truly think about what you and your family want to do, where you want to be and who you want to spend it with. This will be different for everyone. Some people truly love going to ALL THE dinners and celebrations – being surrounded by others – and living in the moment. Others prefer small gatherings, quiet and having time to relax. Figure out where you stand, and also where your family stands as well. It needs to be a group decision if there is more than just you in the home.
Give others the grace and respect to not have to do it your way. Maybe your significant other would rather bow out of your work Christmas shin-dig because some of your coworkers rub them the wrong way… Allow them to avoid an uncomfortable evening. Perhaps your teenager is feeling exhausted from a tough month of exams and projects at school — do they really need to go to their aunt and uncle’s for an evening of appetizers and games?
Allow people to make choices based on their feelings and comfort level. When you start to accept others’ decisions you will find more peace and less unnecessary arguments.
Set boundaries.
Once you have an idea of how you want this season to play out, it will be easier to decline and accept various offers. You do not need to say ‘”yes” to everything. Make sure to take care of your own personal health (mentally & physically) before all else. If you want to make a personal rule to be home by 9pm each night… DO IT! Do you want to have brunch at home each Sunday with your loved ones who reside in your home… DO IT! Would you like for the whole family to turn their phones off during dinner… DO IT!
Think of what matters most for this time of year for yourself and your family. If a random offer comes along for something and it does not reflect your personal and family’s boundaries, say “NO”. Don’t say “maybe” or “I’ll look at my schedule and get back to you”, especially if you already know that the answer will be “no”. Simply thank them for the offer and say that you will be unable to attend. If anyone seriously takes offense to your response, that is a much larger reflection of them than it has anything to do with you. There is no need to explain your reasoning.
Boundaries are crucial in life for your own health and wellbeing.
Make a plan. Make ‘To-Do’ Lists.
Sit down and do a brain dump. A brain dump is when you literally write down EVERYTHING you need to do over the next month or so. Write the big things AND the little things. Write down that you have to get an oil change, or go to _____ store to get a specific gift. Write down that you need to grocery shop and clean the floors. You will find that some of these tasks will even create their own lists… Such as presents to buy and grocery shopping.
Once you think you have everything down, start categorizing things and creating a schedule of when to get them done. Try to figure out the most effective way to accomplish your tasks. Telling yourself you will go to the mall this one particular day to pick up all the gifts, or bulk all the stops at the far side of town/city in one outing rather than going back and forth each week.
Once you have an action plan, you will feel a large weight lift from your shoulders since you have a better idea of everything going on. Small things evidently pop up, but at least the majority of everything is figured out.
Make a budget.
Plan in advance how much you want to spend. (Maybe for next year, consider that in January and then SAVE for the year so you’re not racking up debt).
Also, consider NOT getting everyone a gift. A nice card with a small chocolate taped to it is more than enough for those you would consider acquaintances. And always have extras ready as backup for those unexpected gifts or people you forgot about – this helps for the people who feel guilty when they didn’t think of someone who gives them a little something.
Take it from someone who used to feel they had to “get a little something” for everyone they interacted with, that when you let go of the feeling to need to give to everyone, your pocket book is much happier and the stress of finding something goes WAAAAYYY down.
Stick to your budget. Even if this means creative ways of saving money. Whether it being shopping during sales or finding small creative DIY projects to make as gifts. SOOOO many things found at a dollar store and can be created into fantastic gifts with a tiny of bit of extra time. Or maybe, if you’re good at cooking or baking, take that route! Who doesn’t love a delicious treat someone has home made for them!
Drink your water & eat healthy!
These two tips not seem very essential, but they are! With the extra indulgences we tend to take at various parties and get-togethers, taking care of your body on the regular can help. Make sure to drink lots of water before, during and after any occurrences that involve alcohol. Alcohol causes our body to eliminate water and decrease absorption of water significantly. Dehydration can cause us to feel more lethargic because our body uses water for a large percentage of the chemical reactions that occur on a cellular level.
Trying to continue to eat healthy foods regularly between get-togethers can help with feelings of guilt when we over indulge. Continuing to eat well provides our bodies with vitamins and minerals to keep our immune systems functioning optimally during times of stress and prevent us from getting sick. Many people find themselves getting sick just as they have time to relax after the holiday rush because their body finally catches up after all the hustle and bustle.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying your holidays, having some beverages and delicious treats — and any health coach who says otherwise is unrealistic. The key is everything in moderation. It takes practise.
Focus on what you can control.
No, we can’t control that our crazy Aunt will drink too much at family dinner and become boisterous and clumsy. No, we can’t control that the cat randomly decide to make a home in the beautifully decorated tree. No, we can’t control the kids will trip over a present, land on their face and get a nosebleed in the middle of present-opening.
We can only control our own thoughts and actions. Once you realize this fact, the need of controlling the whole season will start to fade. Accidents happen. Weather does what it wants. Animals have their own brains.
Others may say or do ‘stupid’ things. But at the end of the day, does it actually have any bearing on our life past right now?
I hope this post helped put some things into perspective for you.
Let me know if you had any major take aways by commenting below!
Take care,
xoxo, Amy
