12 Tips For More Fun And Less Stress During The Holiday Season
Published on 18 Dec 2007 at 7:31 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies.
Holidays provide an opportunity for time off from our daily routines to enjoy time with family and friends. For many, the holiday season is a time of pressure and stress in addition to the challenges we may face day-to-day. Is it the season creating the stress, or us?
Read on for some tips to thrive during the holidays.
1. Plan ahead and shop early.
Do you wait until the last minute and scramble to get things done? Avoid the stress of last minute shopping by planning ahead. Start with a prioritized written list of everything you need for the holiday season. Getting the jump on your holiday-to-do list will allow you the time to slow down and enjoy the moments.
2. Are you taking things too seriously?
Holidays are meant to be joyful and spent with those you care about and love. Enjoy taking a break from your regular routine to sit down, platy and allow lightness around you. It’s up to you how you celebrate!
3. Choose what you want to do and do it without the guilt!
Say “no” a little more often. Give yourself permission to spend the holiday season going to parties or family gatherings that you really want to attend. Choose to be selective about whom you spend time with. If you have family obligations that might be stressful - your attitude, length of time you are there, who you speak with etc is up to you.
4. Volunteer to help others.
Generously giving your time, energy, and financial support to others warms the heart and lifts the spirit. And, a funny thing happens when we lovingly give of ourselves - we actually receive more than we give. Test it out. See what happens!
5. Keep your self-care strong!
No kidding! Guarding your health is very important. During the holidays self-care tends to go on the back burner. Taking good care of YOU will insure you have the energy and spirits to attend to the people and things you love. Soak in the tub, maintain your exercise regime, get a massage (love that!), read a story to a child, enjoy a hobby, whatever makes you smile.
6. Be prepared for delays and waiting in line.
It’s a familiar scene: bumper- to- bumper traffic, trying to find a parking space, grocery store check out lines, the list goes on. The holiday season means more shoppers, delays and lots of lines. By preparing yourself in advance (attitude again!), you will stand a much better chance of reducing stress and maybe meet some new people!
7. Choose your attitude
How do you want to approach the holidays – with light-hearted playfulness or with stress and dread? It’s all up to you. Be kind and patient with others, even if at first there’s no response. When you are genuine with your heart, the effect can be contagious by bringing out the best in others.
8. Manage the food plans.
• Plan food you can prepare in advance and freeze.
• Stock up on non-perishables you will need ahead of time
• Pick up items that are already prepared.
• Plan a potluck dinner and invite people to bring their favorite foods.
• Hire a caterer.
9. Be Gratefull
Along the lines of the power of attitude is the joy of gratefulness. Most of us have so much to be grateful for. Living with a sense of gratitude as a way of being (feeling grateful without needing something to happen) as well as celebrating the specific people and things in your life will fill you with a feeling of abundance, regardless of your material wealth or immediate life circumstance. Who and what are you grateful for this year? Think hard. Keep looking until you find at least 50 things.
10. Change the practice of gift giving
Ouch! Holiday debt? Develop a holiday budget and stick to it. Pay with cash if possible. Cut back on what you normally spend, especially on non-gift holiday items. Are you choosing to simplify your life by streamlining the amount of things coming into your home? Perhaps spending time together at your favorite restaurant would provide the gift of a lasting happy memory. Are you creative? Think about giving your time, expertise or creating something uniquely individual if you have the time and talent.
11. Share the work and the fun.
Ask for help. Delegate tasks to others and look to do family projects that make the work, FUN! By including others in the planning, preparation, and execution of the festivities you will change this from being another year where everyone sits back while you do all the work.
12. Remember what this season is really about.
Whatever you celebrate, remember that the holidays are meant to be about fellowship, love, joy and PEACE.
Cheers! 
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Gamy on 19 Dec 2007 at 9:01 pm: 1
Great tips and reminders,Lorraine.
I like the #3, #4 and #11 esp.
I must learn to delegate. Sometimes, I have taken responsibilities in looking after my parents too much.. now I have learned to spread some responsibilities to my other family member.
I got myself burned out few years back, becos I was overly concern of their well being and forgotten about myself. Time to let go, and I have, and it’s a good feeling..
PS: Stumbled and reviewed
Hugs
Gamy
lorraine on 19 Dec 2007 at 9:08 pm: 2
I need the reminders too Gamy
I get caught up in the “doing” and forget to just “be.” I’m fortunate that the holidays for me aren’t very stressful. I see these tips as being useful all year round!
Thanks for the Stumble and review. Love ‘em.
Cheers,
Lorraine