The holiday season is approaching. The next six weeks are likely to be among the busiest of the year. Party invitations, travel, hosting guests, holiday decorations, school plays, processed foods, gift shopping and more.
Many of your holiday tasks and activities will be enjoyable and rewarding. But they do not come without considerable stress and expense, both financial and energetic. So how can you make the most of your holiday fun while reducing stress?
Here are nine strategies:
1. Set a goal
Choose a word that expresses the feeling you want to cultivate as you go through the next six weeks of the year. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in the middle of one of your favorite holiday traditions. What is the atmosphere? Festive? Peaceful? Grateful? Pompous? Minimalist?
Let the chosen word help guide your choices in the coming weeks. For example, if you chose the word "peaceful," you might prefer to have a small, intimate gathering of close friends for a holiday party rather than a larger, more boisterous party. Or if you chose "grateful," you may want to focus your energy, time, and money on giving and expressing thanks to the people you love.
2. Get more sleep
It may sound like a contradiction, but it's true: to get more, you need more rest. When you find yourself on a quiet night without obligations, skip the alcohol, take some magnesium, and get 7-8 hours of rest. If you find that excitement and busyness make your mind wander before bed, write down your worries and the things you don't want to forget. Keep a notepad by your bed in case other ideas come to mind. Use meditation to help relax your body and mind before bed.
3. Set priorities
Organize your to-do list. Return to your purpose as you make these important decisions. If you're striving for a more festive vibe this year, consider which events and activities really give you that sense of joy and prioritize them. While the holidays are a time of generosity and bonding, it's important to prioritize your values ??and enjoyment as well.
4. Make things easier for yourself
Make it easier for yourself wherever you can. For example, buy all your nieces and nephews the same gift. Choose something you want to get and buy enough for the people you love. Or choose a festive appetizer or dessert and take it to any party. You can also gift it to anyone else in your life who you want to thank this season.
5. Schedule rest time
Watch holiday movies, take naps, and soak in peppermint-scented bubble baths. Treat these activities, which have no purpose other than pleasure and ease, as essential features of your holiday season.
6. Radiate good energy
Be generous. Smile. Donate gifts or volunteer to deliver them. Spread joy when opportunities arise. Generosity doesn't just benefit others, acts of kindness release feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, increasing our sense of well-being.
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