We sing about peace on earth this time of year, but for many of us the holidays bring stress and anxiety. This season, bring peace into your home with these ten tips.
- Lower your expectations. Life isn't a Norman Rockwell painting, but we tend to think it should be during the holidays. If you don't expect perfection from yourself and your family, the inevitable imperfections are less likely to create anxiety.
- Limit your activities. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, you could probably attend a holiday event every evening. Commit yourself only to what matters most to you, and graciously decline other invitations.
- Examine your traditions. Are you repeating activities year after year simply because you've always done them? Allow yourself to eliminate traditions that cause more stress than joy.
- Discuss holiday plans as a family. Prioritize together to avoid hurt feelings when activities are dropped and to maximize your creativity in planning a low-stress season.
- Define what the holidays mean to you. Prioritizing requires assessing our values. Identify what you value about the holidays and make decisions that reflect those values.
- Avoid overspending. It's tempting to shelve all thoughts of a budget this time of year, but financial concerns can create major stress. Just as you prioritize your time, think about the overall value and long-term impact before making a purchase.
- Avoid overindulging in food or drink. Sugar, caffeine, and alcohol can all have negative effects on mood, and too much of any food can leave you feeling sluggish and vulnerable to stress. Enjoy holiday treats, but aim for moderation.
- Exercise when you can. Exercise can improve your mood, so look for ways to combine physical movement with other activities. Park far from store entrances and take the stairs instead of the escalator. Play in the snow with your kids. (Read my Fitness Tips for Parents for suggestions on changing your thoughts to change your body.)
- Ask for help. Look for services like free gift wrap - or pay a few dollars less for the gift and pay to have it wrapped. Share tasks with your spouse and children. Ask guests to bring a side dish or dessert.
- Help someone else. In your efforts to simplify, remember that helping others enhances your sense of wellbeing. Combine holiday activities with service, such as serving a meal at a homeless shelter or singing Christmas carols to shut-ins.
During the holidays and year round, the way we spend our time is a choice. Choose to slow down and celebrate what's most important this holiday season.
The copyright of the article Conquering Holiday Anxiety in Stay-at-Home Parents is owned by Kim Kankiewicz. Permission to republish Conquering Holiday Anxiety must be granted by the author in writing.
