Ways to Keep the Holiday Stress at Bay

Ways to Keep the Holiday Stress at Bay

The days seem to pick up speed as the calendar rounds toward the end of the year. Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with the thought of the holiday season rapidly approaching? Keep calm in the face of the season’s frenetic pace with these 10 tips for curbing holiday stress.

Grab groceries on the go.

Most stores offer curbside pickup and delivery, giving you the gift of more time. While you work on your holiday shopping, get pantry staples easily with time to spare and save the freshest needs for last. Vons, Albertsons, Walmart and Sprouts are just a few outstanding options for getting some relief at this time of year. Instacart is also a great solution, which allows you to pick from a variety of shopping locations.

Confab with the fam.

Stave off hurt feelings by setting expectations for visits with the extended family ahead of time. Having the conversation is inevitable, so give yourself as much notice as possible, so family members can also plan what their holidays look like.

Take time off.

Don’t be a Scrooge when it comes to scheduling PTO. We all need a day off now and then, and the holidays are one of the best excuses. Get in that rest and play time in so you can show up to work refreshed for the new year.

Slow the dinner rush.

Getting prepped for the holidays can mean late night shopping trips, Christmas tree decorating, holiday parties and get-togethers. Simplify the nightly meal – plan a weekly menu, up your takeout game, or try a meal kit delivery service.

Plan ahead to avoid holiday stress.

It’s time to pull out the calendar! Opt out of the last-minute frenzy by parsing your holiday to-do list out over weeks instead of days. Are you being the most purposeful with your time? While sitting down with the family to watch a holiday movie, tackle some online shopping to minimize the amount of trips you need to make to the store.

Go green with greetings.

Skip the snail mail and paper trail by sending season’s greetings via a digital card service. We all know that the holidays create delays for USPS, where sometimes your friends and family won’t get their card until after the holidays. Using a service like JibJab or Evite is a fantastic way of saving money on postage, while creating a unique e-card that will make everyone’s day merry and bright.

Don’t budge on the budget.

Holiday stress can start showing itself when we see saving accounts and credit cards getting their use. Steer clear of the siren call of sales by setting strict spending parameters. Your future self will thank you. Handmade gifts this time of year go a long ways, which can help keep you within your original budget.

Settle in for self-reflection.

As the year ends, take stock of what worked and what didn’t during the past 12 months. What are the milestones you experienced this year? What would you change differently for the following year? Are there any big goals that require better planning? Start breaking down your long term goals into achievable, bite-size chunks.

Ground yourself in gratitude.

Lighten your load with a quick rundown of your greatest gratitude hits. Especially with Thanksgiving around the corner, this time of year offers a unique opportunity to share your feelings with others. Is grandma helping watch the kids? Does your spouse currently work more hours to achieve some of your family’s long term goals? Is your friend always picking up the phone to walk through roadblocks in life? You are sure to get a warm and positive reaction from sharing what you are most grateful for.

Embrace the ‘no.’

Between dinner parties with friends and family, holiday parties for work and winter activities, this season heralds a flurry of invitations. To avoid as much holiday stress as possible, say ‘no’ early and often to avoid being overbooked. We guarantee you will feel an immediate sense of relief once you finalize your plans for the holidays.