How to Reduce Holiday Stress

Welcome to my blog! If you would like to keep updated on new posts, please subscribe.
And consider following me on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for visiting!

For many families, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. But the high expectations that come along with the holidays can lead to stress, depression, or disappointment. With so many things that we need to get done in order to spread holiday cheer, it can be pretty easy to get overwhelmed. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself feeling merry and mellow this Christmas:

Get started early – It’s never too early to start getting ready for Christmas. Always keep an eye out for festive decorations or the perfect Christmas card while you’re shopping. Not only will this give you less to worry about when Christmas is just around the corner, but buying holiday supplies off-season can also save you money. If the family Christmas festivities are going to be held at your house this year, start preparing weeks or even months ahead.

Connect with family – The stress of the holidays is much easier to manage when you’re able to use the time to reconnect with family. Find new, fun ways to get into the holiday spirit together. You might try decorating Christmas stockings together as a family, or singing carols around your community. You could even volunteer together at a local food bank or toy drive and help to spread some Christmas cheer.

Bring down expectations – High expectations make preparing for Christmas festivities much more stressful. If you worry yourself over having the best decorations, the most presents, or the most memorable dinner party, you could end up trying too hard (and going a little crazy). Try to keep your family focused on family and being together instead of decorations or presents.

Cut down on spending – Financial issues are one of the leading causes of stress, and Christmas tends to be a very costly time. Try to save money where you can so you have one less thing to worry about. Think of inexpensive or sentimental gifts that you can give, rather than something costly from the store. The same goes for decorating. Homemade decorations save money as well as provide an activity the whole family can enjoy.

Ask for help – It’s very difficult to get everything done on your own during the Christmas season. But you don’t have to do it all by yourself. All of the stress-inducing chores that you need to take care of can become fun family activities. Not only will this make things much easier, but your family is sure to cherish Christmas all the more if everyone helped make it happen together.

If you feel anxious because Christmas is only a few weeks away, you’re not alone. Many people consider the Christmas holidays to be the most stressful time of the year. But as long as you avoid the over-hype and encourage your family to have realistic expectations, everyone should have a peaceful and merry Christmas.

What are your tips for surviving the holidays? Share them with me!