Are holiday traditions, parties, volunteer commitments and shopping turning
you into a frenzied ringmaster of a runaway circus train? For your sanity
and for your health, put the brakes on the holiday rush. Here’s how.
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Make a “Not-to-Do” List. Consciously leave a few
activities off the program this year. Ellie Griffin, a feminine vitality
coach, says this is one of her favorite ways to reduce holiday stress. “I
love having my clients do this exercise because it makes them realize how
much of what they do doesn’t have an effect on the big picture of their
lives,” she says. -
End a tradition. Let go of rituals that are more work
than fun or are no longer meaningful. Attempting to turn the holiday season
into the greatest show on earth could put your health at risk. According to
the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can weaken your
immune system, making it harder to recover from illness, and can cause
heart disease, obesity and depression. -
Catch your zzzs. You perform better when you’re well
rested. Strive for seven to eight hours of sleep, which can help you cope
better with stress. “Poor sleep habits keep you jittery, irritable and
feeling like you’re just dragging yourself around,” says Rosalie Moscoe,
author of “Frazzled, Hurried Woman! Your Stress Relief Guide to
Thriving…Not Merely Surviving.” -
Choreograph the chaos. Organize your shopping trips.
Ask for help from your significant other. When possible, buy gifts whenever
you’re already out running errands. Make shipping presents a breeze by
purchasing some online. After pounding the pavement, reward yourself with
dinner out, pizza delivery or a glass of wine by a cozy fire. -
Clown around. Try not to schedule every free moment
during the holiday rush. “By pursuing pleasure in her life, a woman can not
only enjoy a more fulfilling life, but in the process can increase
production of oxytocin, a hormone crucial to lowering stress hormones,”
Griffin says. Go through your calendar and block out 15 to 30 minutes each
day to do something just for your personal enjoyment, like a manicure,
lunch with a friend, yoga, a nap or reading a book. -
Juggle less. Planning, cooking, cleaning and
entertaining can test even the most talented acrobat. Host a light-hearted
appetizer party instead of a serious dinner soiree. Choose menu items that
can be prepared ahead of time or have the event catered to make it easier
for you to enjoy the festivities along with your guests. -
Rely on your safety net. “Ask for help! Get your family
to help with cleaning up at home. Or, if you can, hire a cleaning person,”
Moscoe says. “Take a break, be kind to yourself. There will always be
something to finish – that’s life!” For casual parties,
prepare the main dish and ask your friends if they can bring side items or
desserts. -
Revel in the moment. Duck out of the buzzing
fluorescent lights and long lines. Take an evening stroll
to breathe in the cool December air and admire the holiday lights
illuminating the streets. Allow the movement to calm your mind without
further stressing your body. -
Feed yourself right. Hunger and exhaustion can bring
out the tiger in anyone. Eat wholesome, good-mood foods with protein for
energy. “Don’t bring extra cookies or chocolate into the house in advance
of the holidays,” Moscoe says. “This will make you cranky, tired and cause
fluctuations in blood sugar.” -
Plan for surprises. Keep tricks up your sleeve for
managing those last-minute gift exchanges. While running errands, purchase
small gifts that you can stash. And go ahead and store those extra cookies
in the freezer for drop-in visitors. -
Simplify decor. If holiday decor makes you sweat, swap
time-consuming and expensive lights and ornaments for homemade decorations.
Try making luminaries with your kids. Draw a star or tree on a lunch-size
paper bag. Punch holes into the design and fill the bag with sand. Place
battery-charged tea lights inside the bags and line them up on your porch
or driveway. -
Focus on the magic. Carefully consider what makes the
holidays special for you and your family. Ask your kids, too. Their answers
may surprise you. Perhaps they’d like to try building gingerbread houses
this year or want to spend a toasty evening in their pajamas drinking hot
chocolate and watching seasonal movies.
Most of all, resolve to bring your holidays from over the big top to just
right for you. Even one small change can make all the difference between
anxiously counting the days until the show is over to living in the moment,
while celebrating more peace and joy with your family this season.
