Sneaky Ways to Take the Stress Out of the Holidays
Holiday stress is nothing to take lightly. According to Harvard researchers, the condition causes our brains to go into overdrive, increasing the potential of decreased memory and stopping the production of brain cells. The question is: what can we do about it? For sufferers of chronic stress, the solution will probably be more long term than for others. But if you just need some help getting through the season, these sneaky tips might help.
Take small mental breaks
In all the bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to forget to unwind. If you’re not shopping, baking, or cramming in extra work, you’re thinking about doing those things. Make it a point to schedule a few hours or an entire day each week when you can do something that makes you happy. If that thing is actually Christmas shopping, then do more of that, but at a leisurely pace. Or do something else instead. Invite your best friend for a pedicure at a classy salon. Take your husband or wife to lunch at your favorite restaurant. Or just sneak off to the theater to catch a movie alone.
Delegate some tasks
Most people have trouble delegating even the simplest tasks for several reasons. They might be afraid of giving up control because they’re perfectionists. They may want all the credit for the work. Or they might not have confidence in the people around them. If this is you, it’s probably time to give up a little control. Allowing others to handle smaller tasks will free you up to focus on what you’re really good at. Ask family members to do the grocery shopping, take your gifts to a wrapping center, and splurge on a housekeeper to clean up your house before your get-togethers. You’ll be amazed at how much this simple change will ease your stress.
Simplify your shopping
Along with personal errands and cleaning, you can also delegate your Christmas shopping. Many people claim this is their favorite part of the season, and if it is, then by all means, don’t give it up. But if shopping for gifts causes you undue stress, you can absolutely hire it out. This works even if you already have an idea of what you want to buy. You can simply give the shopper your list and let them fight the crowds and stand in long lines for you.
An even better idea is to buy all your gifts online if you’ve left yourself enough time to do so. Many people feel this is too impersonal, but your recipients won’t care whether you trudged through the mall or clicked through the internet to find their gifts. They’ll just be happy to get them.
Find a Christmas decorator
Hanging lights, decorating the yard, and decorating your tree may be a holiday tradition in your family. But if it’s just another chore that stresses you out, consider finding someone else to do it. Many companies specialize in installing lights and helping with holiday décor throughout the season. You can get everything from simple light strands to commercial structures at https://www.Christmasdesigners.com/Christmas-lights/LED-Christmas-lights.
Then you can hire someone to make a simple statement or construct a winter wonderland in your own front yard if you’d like.
Organize your photos
If you’re like most people, you’ll probably take hundreds of pictures during the holidays. And one of the worst things that can happen is to try to take photos or videos Christmas morning and find out your storage is full. Instead, make use of a picture sharing website, where you’ll not only be able to automatically save all your photos, but you’ll also be able to share and receive them from the people in your circle.
