6 Things That Will Help With Holiday Stress

The Holiday season is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. Even if your a Christmas Elf and absolutely love everything that comes with the holidays, you can get overwhelmed and stressed. Or maybe your someone that really dreads this time of year. The hustle and bustle of the season always stresses you. Add to it now the worry of the health crisis these days and a triple pandemic threat. Ether way let’s face it, they are coming fast if your ready or not. Christmas is just days away, Hanukkah is here already so what can we do for the stress we put on ourselves? 
First and maybe the most important of the list is…

Say No To Things That Steal Your Happiness And Joy 

We don’t have to say yes and go to every Holiday event we are invited to. Sometimes just the list of events alone is enough to stress us out. We look at all the invites and wonder how we are going to get all the shopping and wrapping done at all with all we have to do. Going to all the events just isn’t always possible. Look at the invitations and see what’s the most important to you. Less is more when it comes to Holidays. Don’t stress yourself out trying to fit it all in. 
Things Don’t Have To Be Perfect Ask For Help If Needed

Between cooking, decorating, table setting, planning the cute and fun extras, and gifts we have a lot on the plate to handle. It’s ok if you don’t have all the extra details done. You can’t find the Hot Chocolate Bombs anywhere? That’s ok, so not everyone gets them this year. The Homemade chocolate Santa lollipops didn’t get made? Ok so you don’t give them out ether. My point is your friends and family will love being with you for the holiday if you have those little things or not. The most important thing is that your together if possible. Your table doesn’t have to be perfect. Your decorations doesn’t have to blow everyone away. It’s about family being together that’s important. If you need help making a dish or picking something up that you need ask someone. It’s actually sometimes fun to have everyone bring a dish they would like or that they are good at. Have everyone bring the recipe also so if anyone likes it they can take a picture of the recipe. Asking for help can be fun also you just have to be inventive. 
Let Go Of What You Can’t Control

My Dad recently told me that in reality there is very little in life that we can control. As I sat back and thought about those words I found he is absolutely right. There are a lot of things that we can not control. Don’t Waste all that effort trying to control things that are out of anyone’s control. People will be sick, bad weather will happen, The Dog eating the Turkey… Ok that last one I stole  from The Christmas Carol Movie but you get the idea. Things will happen beyond our control as it always does. Just breathe, find a way to make the best of things. Don’t allow things that you can’t control to make you sick with stress. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed not stressed. 
Make Time To Do Nothing

Yup you read that right! Take the time to do Absolutely NOTHING! Have you ever sat on the couch and the only lights that are on in the room is the Christmas tree lights and the light from candles and Christmas decorations? You haven’t? Well you don’t know what your missing! Turn on the Christmas music and turn off those lights. Light a candle, put the Christmas village or other lighted decorations on. Grab a hot chocolate or glass of wine and just sit there! How long you ask? For as long as you want! Trust me doing nothing is the most peaceful moment you can have. You can thank me later for this one. 
Make Time For Happy Holiday Moments

Make sure you schedule some time for things that just make you happy. Like driving around to look at the Christmas lights. Or going to see a holiday show. Take some friends or family and be sure to do these things. The time with them is always valuable, but the happy memories will last a lot longer. With all the rushing around we do these moments really are needed for stress relief. Lastly… 
Don’t Stop Your Self Care

However busy your holiday season gets do not stop your self care. Keep up those year round self care routines that you have implemented into your daily and weekly routines. I can’t stress enough how important self care is for your mind, body, and spirit. The goal is to get rid of as much stress in your life so you can and live happy, peaceful, and healthy. Don't stop doing those things because it’s the busy holiday season. They are needed now more then ever. 
The Holidays can be stressful but there are things we can do to take as much stress out of them as possible. So we can sit back and enjoy the ones we love and be a part of things. People will not miss all those things that are done so Christmas can be perfect. But they will miss you! So light a candle, breathe, and enjoy your Holidays.