Decking the Halls with Less Stress

The holidays can bring joy and tears if you are not prepared for the stress it can cause. I vowed this year to make things a lot less stressed and wanted to share some of those tips with you to help you make it through the holidays without kicking a snowman.

1. Take a good hard look at what your holiday expectations are and then take a good hard look at what is really possible. Write down what is really possible, given the nature of what you would like to accomplish, the time-frame and your availability and establish if those are realistic goals. Share it with your family and friends to let them know when you have any worries about meeting your expectations.

For example, I would love to be able to put up icicle lights around the gables on my house. Each year I think that would be great and look wonderful, but the closer it gets to the season, the less time I find I can do it when the sun is out or someone else is home to make sure I don’t fall off the ladder and the sheer stress of hanging those darn hooks with the right precision just adds a whole new level of stress I really don’t need. So, instead, I ask my son which trees he would like to light and we do that instead.

2. Create some time just for yourself to reflect on what is really precious to you regarding the holidays. What makes you feel happy and joyful around the holidays. Take this time to reconnect with your spirit and enjoy yourself. Whether it's listening to your favorite holiday songs while drinking tea or coffee. Getting out to do a little skiing or snowshoeing with a friend. Splurging on a manicure or pedicure with snowflakes painted on them or even watching your favorite movie without your family around. Create this special space just for you to relax and reconnect to fully enjoy the spirit of the season.

What do you do during the holiday season to create some down time for yourself?