We all could use some help to manage holiday stress!
For me, I love the holidays but it still comes with plenty of stress.
The baking, parties, cooking, shopping, presents, and decorating.
And we haven’t even talked about the cleaning, right?
That’s why I have several ideas on how to help manage your holiday stress so that you can enjoy it just a little bit more!
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Manage Holiday Stress
Pre-Plan
That’s right.
And yes, I know it takes some time and possibly some work but, the more you can pre-plan the easier it’ll be!
Will you be hosting a party or dinner?
Sit down for fifteen minutes one night and figure out what you’ll be serving.
Think appetizers, meats, vegetables, sides and desserts.
Remember, you might need to be conscious of any food allergies or food intolerances, too.
Related Post: Simple games for parties
Write your Lists
So with your pre-planning, write your lists.
If you have it written down, you won’t need to keep thinking about it.
Not only that, but you’ll have it handy.
You can peek at it whenever you need to.
Whether it’s to double check you have everything on your list or it’s to add something to you, you’ll be able to without any problem.
Enjoy the holidays in six easy steps.
Do Ahead
You need to get organized to help manage holiday stress.
Do what you can ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute.
Figure out where your plates, silverware, serving platters, etc. are before the event.
Even if you can’t or don’t have a place to ‘store’ them together before you’ll at least know where they are when the day arrives.
Decorate early.
Not only will you have more time to enjoy it, you’ll save yourself stress.
Last year I just had to decorate for Christmas right after Halloween 🙂
Normally we wait until the day/weekend after Thanksgiving.
But I couldn’t!
And let me tell you, everyone in the house loved it 🙂
It ended up being perfect because my brother and sister-in-law came for Thanksgiving so we already had that done.
It was one less then we had to worry about.
Buy Ahead
Whether it’s presents for Christmas, a host/hostess gift, or needing to purchase items for get-togethers, get them as soon as you can.
Once you know you’ll be hosting a party, figure out what you need and buy it.
If you see something you think someone would like, and it’s in your budget, buy it and hide it.
Now, of course food might be a little more difficult unless you can get items that can be frozen.
If so, buy those early too.
Especially if you find them on sale!
Let Go
Yup!
Let go of all your expections.
I know, it’s not easy.
We all want everything to go smoothly and beautifully.
Right? Just like the movies.
Well, unfortunately that will not always happen.
And instead of getting stressed, frustrated, upset and not enjoying the holidays, why not manage your holiday stress by letting go.
Trust me, you’ll be so much happier!
Exercise
O.k., I know what you’re going to say.
I barely feel like I’ll have time to get the things I have to get done, let alone add in exercise.
And as much as that might feel, and even be true, you’ll feel so much better if you get in even 15 minutes.
Try some yoga, hiit or how about even a quick walk around the block.
You won’t regret it, I promise.
Related post: Benefits to exercise
In Conclusion
Five, easy ways to manage holiday stress.
The holidays should be a fun, enjoyable time.
Stressing during it isn’t!