The holidays are great, but they can be stressful for a variety of reasons. We have to find and buy good gifts for those close to us, (which can be a challenge, especially if you have more than 1 hard-to-shop-for-person on your list.) We have to spend time with people we don’t see often. Decorating, cooking and the list goes on! While the holidays are fantastic, they can be stressful! It’s so important to find time to relax and recharge during the holidays.
I’m an overly anxious and worrisome person as it is. I also have always felt the need to make the holidays “perfect.” I know, impossible! Nothing is ever really perfect but that doesn’t mean it can’t be wonderful. Either way, I knew I had to find time for myself to relax during the holidays so that the carousel of overthinking & worry would take a break, and maybe, just maybe I could too.
I know that this time of year is stressful for everybody, (even more so with COVID-19). I wanted to share some great ways for you to relax and recharge during the holidays so you don’t drive yourself crazy:
1. Get Your Shopping Done Early & Get Some of Your Gifts Online
Going out to the stores during the holiday season can add even more stress to your already overflowing glass of stress. (With Black Friday being the exception – those deals can be too good to pass up). There are loads of people, (many of whom are either assholes or oblivious to anyone else existing in the world other than them), not a lot of parking, picked-over shelves & racks and there always seems to be somebody holding up the lines.
I’ve found that when I get my shopping done early and then use online shopping to finish off my list, I’m a whole hell of a lot less stressed. Plus, when you shop online, you can compare prices and combos in various carts on various sites to really make the best picks!
With all the shopping done, you can make more time to relax and recharge.
2. Sleep In When You Can
Depending on what you do for a living and whether or not you’ve been working from home or have taken some days off, it’s important to sleep in when you can. Our bodies crave sleep around stressful times and it can just be so nice to wake up when your body wants to wake up.
Also, if you can swing it, squeeze a nap in some days. Sleep is priceless!
3. Get Moving
Exercise, or simply moving around, is going to alleviate more stress than you realize. I like to squeeze in a yoga or pilates session into my days when I can. Even just a quick walk outside is more therapeutic than you know.
If you can manage nothing else, a 10-15 minute stretch session does wonders too! Regardless of what you can make time for, get moving. It helps crush stress!
4. Remember, You Can’t Control Everything
This has been huge for me year-round, not just around the holidays. I found I was focusing on a lot of things I could not control, (how people respond, what others are going to do, etc). Limit your worries to what you can actually control.
5. Listen To Some Music
Music has a way of relaxing us on a subconscious level, (and often, on a conscious one too). Play the music you enjoy throughout the holiday season. And no, it doesn’t have to be Christmas music if you’re not into that.
6. Cooking & Baking
Cooking, for me, has truly diminished my anxiety in a way I never thought possible. I think it’s because, in the kitchen, I have full control over absolutely everything. I find this to be incredibly therapeutic and relaxing. Others I’ve talked to have also said this, specifically about baking.
Try out some new recipes on Pinterest. Make those cookies! Spend time with family and friends decorating those cookies. This is going to help you unwind and release a little bit of that pent-up stress.
7. Take Time To Look at the Lights
I mean this in a half-metaphoric sense. Seriously, spending a little bit of time with a glass of wine checking out the Christmas tree is pretty relaxing. But, what I really mean is to take time to enjoy the holidays. Peep the neighbor’s decorations, relish that time with family & friends, enjoy some holiday movies, indulge in that second piece of chocolate.
The holidays are all about reflecting on the year, enjoying time with loved ones, and eating some really delicious food. If you spend too much time stressing, you’ll miss those lovely little moments.
Enjoy The Holidays
It can be easy to stress about time, money, and a variety of other factors around the holiday season. Make time for yourself and focus on what’s important. I sincerely wish you an amazing holiday season! And, here’s to hoping that 2021 will be a MUCH better year!
What do you do to de-stress around the holidays? Let me know in the comments!
