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The holiday season brings a sense of joy and warmth.
There's something extra special about this time of year -- but it doesn't come without its pitfalls. A great deal of added stress may be heaped onto our plates, and it can be hard to catch our breath. The pressure of finding gifts, rushing around, the hustle and bustle and even having to deal with those that aren't always a joy to be around.
Welcoming this time of year with an positive mindset and some helpful reminders gets me through every year... and I'd love to share my tips on how I do this with you.
Tips for a stress-free holiday season:
1. Remember perfect doesn’t really exist
Your cookies turned out like blobs. Your lights aren’t lighting up, maybe your kids just made a mess of your clean house right before the guests are arriving. Surrender your vision of what perfect is and just let it go. The only thing the people in your life care about is being with you.
2. Don’t feel bad about saying “No.”
You can’t do it all. There’s no reason you need to go to every party and event from now through New Year’s. Decide which ones are most important to attend and politely decline the others. Spreading yourself too thin isn’t good for anyone, enjoy the holidays and choose the moments that mean the most to you to savor.
3. Say “No” to crash diets
We’ve talked about reasonable ways to handle healthy eating during the holidays before. Deciding to starve yourself to compensate for the extra calories you had or are going to have at a holiday gathering will only leave you feeling resentful and Hangry. If you do overindulge, instead of criticizing yourself, forgive the past and make a point to be more mindful. The next day stay on track with your water and get back to eating real, whole foods. Move forward with positive choices, remembering there is no such thing as perfection.
4. Know that asking for help is okay
Let me repeat: you can’t do it all. I've tried and all it gets you is exhausted! Let family and friends help out when they offer. They can bring a dish, grab something from the store on their way, or help with the dishes. If you go to a party and don’t have the time to make something, grab a healthy pre-made item from the store. There comes a time when we all need help and learning how to accept it will be incredibly beneficial for your sanity.
5. Fit in time for yourself
Women, in particular, spend less than 30 minutes a day on themselves. Go for a run or walk, enjoy that special-roasted coffee at the corner café you like so much, and sit there in peace, read a book, take a bath, or make time with your best friend to have one-on-one time and catch up. You’ll feel recharged which renews your mind and spirit. You can't give from an empty cup, as the saying goes.
Remember, the holidays are about joy. Find yours within, and you’ll be able to spread more of it around. What makes you feel most joyful?
