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5 Ways to Manage Holiday Stress

December 12, 2017 by

Joy, excitement, anticipation…and stress.  These are four very common emotions that run high during the  holiday season. And in all honesty, we could do without the fourth one–stress.

After all, having a panic attack in the middle of singing Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer is not fun for anyone.

If we desire joy, peace, and happiness, why is it that we let ourselves succumb to the madness of the season?

We believe there are two major reasons.

  1. We focus so much on others and forget to take care of our own needs.
  2. We get caught up in the whirlwind of holiday activities and forget to take a moment to breathe.

If you’re looking to take the stress out of the holiday season this year, we recommend you take to heart the following tips….

Tip #1 — Make Time for  Self-Care

It’s the season of giving. And trust us, there’s nothing more wonderful than giving your time, attention, and resources to others.

That being said, it’s not okay to forget about yourself.

Self-care is necessary if you want to keep stress levels low and be able to remain calm when the cat knocks all the ornaments off the tree or when your in-laws have overstayed their welcome.

Make time every day to do something for you–whether it be making a meal you love, sitting down with a good book, or watching your favorite television show.

We promise, there’s nothing wrong with asking your partner to bake the cookies for your kid’s class party or saying no to an event so you have time to stay home and relax.

Tip #2 — Say No to Things You Don’t Want to Do/Don’t Have Time For

Between organizing parties, attending events, hosting fundraisers, and other activities, there’s a lot on your schedule during the holidays.

It’s easy to overbook yourself…especially if you’re a people pleaser who doesn’t want to disappoint. But, the reality is, you just can’t do it all without getting stressed out.

This year, say no to the things that you don’t want to do or don’t have time for.

Your office holiday party will still be a hit even if the cupcakes you bring are store-bought instead of homemade, and your town’s holiday festival will still go on without your presence.

Slim down your schedule this year, and you’ll find the season much more enjoyable. We promise.

Tip #3 — Get Organized

One of the best ways to manage holiday stress is to get organized. And even at this point in the month, there’s plenty you can do to get ahead before overwhelm and stress get too out of hand.

Here are a few ideas…

  • Sweet lovers–Schedule a grocery trip to get all of your baking supplies at once. Store it in your pantry so it’s ready whenever you get the itch to bake.
  • Party attendees–Make sure you place all your events on a calendar so you can clearly see how your time is scheduled.
  • Gift givers–Make a list of all the gifts you’ll be purchasing this year. Then schedule a shopping day to get all your shopping done.

We recently wrote a post on ways to get organized for the holiday season. Check out some additional ideas and read the blog here.

Tip #4 — Keep Things Simple

There’s no need to overcomplicate things during the holidays. Yet, it’s something too many of us seem to do (especially after reading Southern Living or a lifestyle blog that makes you want to wow friends and family and attempt your own centerpiece made out of fruit).

Fret not, overachiever. Here are a few ways to keep it simple and lower your stress levels:

  • If you love baking, but don’t have time to make everything from scratch, buy premade cookie dough.
  • If you want to give your loved ones gifts this year, but are stressing out over what to buy them, give them money or gift cards.
  • If you’re hosting a holiday party, but are worried about making dinner and prepping for all those people, have the event catered.

You get the idea…keep it simple!

Tip #5 — Practice Meditation or Deep Breathing Exercises

Meditation and deep breathing exercises are scientifically proven to clear your mind, slow your heart rate, and reduce your stress levels.

If you’re feeling stressed, try to practice some form of meditation each day.

Not sure where to start?

We recommend taking a yoga class or a meditation/wellness class in your community.

Or, if you’re looking for a free option, check out YouTube. Search for “yoga instruction” or “deep breathing exercises,” and pages of free videos will pop up for you to use.

What do you do to stay stress-free during this busy season? Let us know in the comments below!

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5 Ways to Get Organized and Reduce Stress This Holiday Season

November 28, 2017 by

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

…Unless you easily get bogged down by the chaos that ensues during this incredibly busy holiday season.

We know the feeling of stress and overwhelm that can come along with attending holiday parties, shopping, making travel plans, and everything else that pops up during the holidays.

And these feelings can easily steal the joy out of what’s supposed to be a fun, exciting time of year with family and friends.

But, here’s the good news…we’ve also discovered the secret to not going crazy during this time of year…and it all has to do with organization!

The sooner you are able to get your ducks in a row, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the holidays. So, today, we’ve decided to share how to easily get organized for the holiday season.

Check out some of our favorite organization strategies…

#1. Use a calendar to clearly plan out all your events, vacations, etc.

The best way to get organized is to pull out a calendar. After all, there’s nothing worse than having to run out at midnight to grab cupcakes because you forgot about your kid’s school holiday party or accidentally double-booked your Saturday night plans because you have more than one holiday event to attend.

Whew, talk about stressful!

This year, hang a calendar in a common room for everyone to see. Mark the days you have plans so you can stay on top of what’s coming next on your schedule.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to schedule a few “relax days” when you do absolutely nothing. We promise, you’re going to need them! 

#2. Make travel plans early so you don’t have to stress about them.

Waiting last minute to do anything in regards to traveling can be a pain. For instance, when you don’t plan ahead, you might find yourself…

  • Paying more for travel expenses.
  • Settling for cheap hotels because everything else is booked up.
  • Having to endure long, stressful car rides because plane or train tickets are all sold out.

Don’t wait to reserve your hotel room until the night before you arrive in town. If you know you’ll be traveling for the holidays, get your plans together ASAP.

As each week goes by and we get closer to the end of December, it’s going to be harder and more expensive to book all your travel plans.

#3. Declutter your home.

The holiday season is also a gift giving season. And while there’s nothing wrong with spoiling your kids with a few new toys or accepting gifts from friends and family, the amount of stuff that accumulates in your home can easily become overwhelming.

This year, get organized by weeding through your stuff and getting rid of what is not needed. Or better yet, put together some gently used clothes, pieces of furniture you don’t use, or other household items, and donate them to those who are in need.

To keep your home from filling back up with stuff, ask friends and family who feel the need to give you a gift to send a donation to a charity of your choosing.

#4. Purchase staple holiday foods/baking supplies in advance.

Nothing says the holidays quite like a tray of freshly baked Christmas cookies or a turkey cooking in the oven.

Having to run out to the store to buy eggs every time you get inspired to make some cookies certainly takes the joy out of baking!

This year, put together a list of the foods and desserts you want to make…and do your shopping ahead of time. This way, you can stock up on the materials you’ll need to cook and bake.

If you’re hosting a turkey dinner, buy your turkey early and keep it in your freezer. Planning on making several batches of cookies? Buy lots of butter and then freeze it. You get the idea!

The best part…frozen items, canned goods, and a lot of baking supplies (flour, salt vanilla extract, etc.) will keep for months! If you don’t use all your supplies for the holidays, keep them on hand, and you can use it throughout the year.

#5. Be realistic about your holiday commitments.

Last but not least, we encourage you to be realistic about your holiday commitments.

It might seem like a good idea to say yes to everything at the time, but several weeks later when you’re running from a party to a holiday parade to dinner at your Aunt Barbara’s house, you’re probably going to regret it.

Organize your time wisely. Don’t schedule too many activities for one day. And be okay with saying no to the things you don’t want to do.

How do you stay organized during the holidays? Let us know in the comments below!

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How to Reduce Stress During the Holiday Season

December 3, 2012 by

According to the American Institute of Stress, more than 110 million Americans already take medication for stress-related causes each week, and the holidays only tend to perpetuate anxiety. Even if you’re one of the lucky people who don’t ordinarily feel stressed under the pressure of deadlines or events, the holidays have a way of sneaking stress into the most carefree lives.

There are your children’s wish lists to tackle, the holiday expenses to wrangle, the gifts to wrap, parties to plan, cookies to bake and cards to write—all in addition to your normal responsibilities.

Don’t let stress ruin your holidays. Here are some quick tips for how to keep calm during the bustling festivities:

1. Take some “you” time. If there were ever a time to get a massage, this is it. Book one for December to diffuse the chaos of last-minute frenzies. If you’d rather stay in, pamper yourself with a little dark chocolate and red wine—and for solidarity, invite your best friend over to enjoy a much-needed break.

2. Focus on fitness. Not only is exercise  good for the body, but it also releases endorphins that make you feel happier and more content. Frustrated that you couldn’t find that impossible gift for your niece? Take it on the treadmill! You’ll burn calories, improve your state of mind, and give yourself some time to gain perspective. Remember, a fast-paced walk through the mall also counts as an aerobic activity!

3. Volunteer. Consider volunteering at a local charity. In addition to benefitting from what experts identify as “helpers’ high,” you may also meet new friends and make lasting connections that will enrich your life throughout the entire year.

4. Rethink gift giving. Streamline the hectic process of gift giving by buying fewer gifts, doing all your shopping online, or making modest online donations to the favorite causes of friends and family. No matter what the catalogues tell you, the best gift you can give is your time—so spend it with your family and friends and relish every minute of it.

5. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Remember, you can always say “no.” Consider this an absolute necessity for protecting your health and sanity during the holidays. As a bonus, it works well the rest of the year, too! Stay positive, anticipate happiness, and you’ll make it through the holidays with the right attitude in place for the coming year.

What are some ways you combat your holiday stress?

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