While the holidays are undoubtedly filled with love and laughter, they can also cause considerable stress, especially when you’re in charge of all the planning and preparations. This is quite a common occurrence, as shown in a recent survey conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, where about 31% of more than 2,000 respondents predicted that their stress levels would most likely surpass that of the previous year.
Most of the time, things get stressful when you get caught up in a whirl of social happenings, all that gift-hunting, plus the need to create the ‘perfect’ holiday. On top of all these, the strain on your wallet due to gift purchases, travel costs, and playing holiday host can pile up, leading to anxiety during this busy period.
Unfortunately, stress during Christmas can significantly impact your mental and physical well-being, resulting in various negative emotional responses like anxiety, worry, frustration, and even sadness. It can also strain your interpersonal relationships since high stress can lead to irritability and tension, potentially causing disagreements and stress within family and friend groups.
When this happens, your mood may get affected, disrupting the general sense of enjoyment typically associated with the Christmas holidays. So, no matter what your reason for celebrating during the holidays – whether to take time off for friends and family or to build new memories at home with those you love – having a stress-free holiday season should be the goal.
The good news is that whether planning a holiday party, having family over for dinner or hosting a casual get-together at home, there are ways to prevent stress from ruining your holiday festivities. Here are five tips to get you started:
1. Plan Ahead
Getting organized ahead of time enables you to enjoy the holiday season more, as this will prevent the last-minute rush that often leads to pressure and problems. Start by making a list of everything you need, from food to decorations to gifts, then set a realistic budget and progressively buy them as the holiday season approaches.
Setting and managing expectations regarding gifts, gatherings, and the holiday vibe can also benefit everyone involved. As such, take the time to discover what suits you and your family best, then schedule social events and menus early while making advanced arrangements for necessary services.
2. Hire A Professional
Hiring professionals to handle various holiday tasks can free up your schedule to do other things and ensure that the projects are executed exactly as you want. For example, if you don’t feel up to it or lack the time to do it yourself, you can hire a Christmas interior decorator to style your home.
Since these professionals are proficient in their respective fields, they can ensure that each task is carried out efficiently and to the highest standard. Best of all, allocating tasks to professionals also dramatically reduces your stress levels – and with less to worry about and manage, you can fully immerse yourself in enjoying the holiday.
3. Simplify Your Expectations
Trying to make everything perfect often leads to unnecessary stress, so always remind yourself that it’s okay even if everything doesn’t go according to plan. Sometimes, it’s these little imperfect moments that create lasting memories for you and your loved ones.
Rather than striving for perfection, you can also set realistic goals considering your limitations and focus on what’s most meaningful to you, such as spending quality time with family instead of joining elaborate festivities or choosing thoughtful, personalized or experience-based gifts over expensive purchases. Feel free to communicate your intentions to keep things simple to your friends and family and encourage them to do the same. Redefining your holiday expectations in these ways allows you to truly embrace the spirit of the season and encourage enjoyable, meaningful celebrations.
4. Delegate Tasks
Another thing to keep in mind is that you do not have to do everything by yourself, and you can get the family involved in planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and decorating. The act of delegating cultivates a sense of togetherness and shared accomplishment, promoting a strong team spirit during the holidays while ensuring that the workload doesn’t overwhelm anyone.
Giving others ownership of specific tasks eliminates the notion of holiday preparations being a solo endeavor, making everyone feel more invested in the holiday preparations, essentially contributing to their sense of fulfilment and enjoyment of the festive period. Furthermore, each person’s unique skills and strengths can be leveraged to handle different tasks, leading to more efficient preparations.
5. Practice Self-Care
It’s not uncommon for people to become wrapped up in the responsibilities and anxieties of the holidays, such as organizing events, buying gifts, or navigating complex family dynamics. However, this overwhelming focus can make you miss the small yet important moments that create memorable experiences and foster deeper connections with friends and family.
To cultivate a greater appreciation for these moments, try to maintain a mindful presence during the holiday activities. This may involve consciously paying attention to shared joy and laughter, the warmth of heartfelt conversations, and the atmosphere of togetherness and love. Prioritizing self-care amidst all the hustle and bustle can also help you maintain a balanced mental and emotional state, and this includes setting aside time for relaxation, engaging in a hobby, or enjoying a quiet moment by yourself.
