The holidays are supposed to be a time for joy. Yet most of us are hanging on by a thread while we make it magical for everyone else.
Stress is unavoidable this time of year. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to relax. Do yourself a favor and try at least 3 of these over the next few weeks. Or share some of your destressing strategies in the comments!
- Plan ahead
- See a therapist
- Wrap gifts early
- Limit how many gifts you buy
- Buy prepared foods/sides
- Clean as you go rather than all at once
- Listen to your favorite music
- Gift the gift of not exchanging gifts with friends
- Volunteer to help those in need, perspective is powerful medicine
- Watch your favorite Christmas movie
- Binge watch the hallmark channel
- Go screen free for an afternoon
- Sleep in
- Plan days to explore with just your immediate family
- Escape for a massage on a weeknight (cheaper and easier to book)
- Spend the holidays at home
- Don’t put up all of your decorations
- Go for a hike
- After the gifts are open, donate some of your excess to charity
- Frozen appetizers for dinner! You can nosh and chat with minimal prep
- Curl up with a book and a hot cocoa
- Go for a brisk walk
- Practice deep breathing techniques
- Meditate
- Serve store-bought cookies
- Limit how many types of cookies you make
- Take a nap
- Switch to decaf
- Escape whenever you can find a moment, even if you have to make a ridiculous excuse
- If you think you should invite someone who rubs you the wrong way, just invite them for dessert
- Attend a worship service
- Let go of what you can’t do
- Just say no