5 Strategies for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

By Libby MacCarthy, The Nest

How to stop seasonal stress from turning you into a Grinch.

Between festive fêtes and much-needed vacay days, there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the holiday season. It is, however, the busiest time of year and it won't be long before your iCal is overrun with events and your to-do list starts reaching epic proportions. Feeling burnt out already? We hear you. Here, we've compiled a few easy strategies to help you manage stress and stay sane this holiday season. Ready your pen — you're going to want to take notes.
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Don't overdo it.

It's easy to get caught up in all that holiday cheer and start staying yes to every invite that comes your way. Don't feel obligated to add every party, event or gift exchange to your iCal. Allow yourself some time to step back and relax amidst all the holiday mayhem — even if it means missing out on a few of the festivities. Trust us — you'll thank yourself later.

Start planning now.

Even if you're a master planner, the extra tasks on your holiday to-do list can be downright daunting — especially if you leave everything until the last minute. Start working on a game plan now — gift lists, household tasks, menus, etc. — and keep everything in one easy-to-access place. Avoid sprinkling your tasks around on random bits of paper you have floating around — they can easily get lost and you'll wind up kicking yourself later. Prioritize each bullet point (put things like booking travel or hunting down gifts, which requires more of a time commitment, at the top of your list) give yourself deadlines and do your best to stick to them.

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Be realistic.

Don't put yourself in a difficult position in order to please other people. Case in point: If your budget is tight, you may want to reconsider your gift list. Understand that you may have to cut
back, or simply change your approach — instead of buying something, take the DIY route.

Prioritize yourself.

Stress can affect your health in a myriad of ways — fight back by putting yourself at the top of your to-do list. Make a point of getting enough sleep and scheduling in at least 30 minutes of movement a day, whether it's a walk at lunch or hitting the gym after work. Something else you'll want to pay attention to? What you put into your body. Sweets and treats seem to come out of the woodwork come holiday season, and overindulging likely won't leave you feeling your best. Bring along a few healthier options to your annual office party or your family holiday fête to add a few good-for-you nutrients into the mix.

Make amends.

[post_ads]Old and on-going grudges can cause major anxiety about an upcoming event. As uncomfortable as confronting the issue might be, now is the time to forgive, forget and move on. Whether it's a family member or a friend, reach out stat and address the issue at hand — no lengthy commentary needed — simply asking for and giving forgiveness are enough.


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