Surviving the Holidays 101: How to Get through the Season in One Piece

The holiday season is a time of great stress for many, especially for moms who are stuck with a majority of the cooking, cleaning, and shopping during this time of the year. While most of us keep schedules that routinely keep us on the go, the holiday season seems to take our normal 90 mph speeds and put them in to overdrive. However, there are a few ways to curtail the stress brought about by the holiday season so that you can find them more enjoyable:

surviving-the-holidays-101

Create Lists

One of the biggest stressers of the holidays is simply the feeling of being overwhelmed. There are so many things on our plates that it is often difficult to keep track of what you need to be doing next. To help alleviate this stress, make sure to make to-do lists throughout the season to keep you on track. Having these lists will also give you a sense of accomplishment as you get to strike things from it.

 

Give Yourself a Little R & R

In the spirit of going, we often pass overlook giving ourselves a little time for rest and relaxation. While there are many things that need to be accomplished during the holiday season, don’t be afraid to give yourself the time you need to cool off. Without adequate alone time or relaxation you will be too stressed to enjoy yourself by the time the holidays actually get here.Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Most of us get caught up in the daily grind worrying about small things. Have the fan blades recently been wiped down recently? Are all dust bunnies out from under the furniture? Does the water softener need to be filled? These are the questions and tasks that occupy our days. However, these menial tasks can actually cause your stress levels to skyrocket when added to your holiday workload.

During the holiday season, give yourself a break and don’t sweat the small stuff. Those fan blades are fine, and you really don’t even need that water softener. Simply focus on the important things and enjoying time with family and friends.

Make Sure You are Stocked Up

If you are expecting to have multiple people over during the holidays for both meals and overnight stays, give yourself a break and stock up in advance. Don’t leave yourself running to the store for last minute needs. Make sure that you have plenty of necessities like napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, and cooking supplies well in advance.

Delegate Tasks

If your house tends to be the favorite place for those large family meals, feel free to ease the burden of cooking for everyone by delegating out tasks to those who will be attending. There is no harm in asking others to bring side dishes, desserts, and beverages. Not only will it reduce your costs, but it will also reduce your stress levels and allow others to share some of their favorite holiday dishes.

The holiday season will always be stressful; however, it doesn’t have to be so stressful that it completely ruins this time of year for you. Make sure that you plan ahead, give yourself adequate rest, and ask others for help. The holiday season is a time for everyone to enjoy, not just those you host year after year.

 

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