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Simple Yet Effective Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress and Enjoy Every Moment

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The holidays can be a time filled with joy, but they can also be a source of stress. From planning the perfect holiday event to dealing with family dynamics, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. In fact, over a third of people admit to being overwhelmed at this time of year. 


If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to reduce holiday stress, you’ve come to the right place. But there are simple yet effective ways to reduce holiday stress and enjoy every moment. These tips can help make your holiday season a bit brighter and more enjoyable, from mindfulness practices to taking time for yourself. Read on for simple yet effective ways to relax and make the most of the season.



Be realistic about what you can do.

When you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it can be easy to want to take on everything. You can host the best holiday party, bake all the cookies, buy the most unique gifts, and get to all the events on your social calendar. But it’s essential to be realistic and know your limits. Instead of stressing about doing everything, prioritize the things that are most important to you. Focus your energy on those; if you have extra energy and want to do other things, go for it. But don’t push yourself to feel resentful or burned out.


Set a budget and stick to it

It can be easy to get caught up in the holiday spending frenzy. There are so many amazing gifts and experiences to buy, and they all seem like they are worth their weight in gold. But holiday spending can quickly get out of control and lead to feelings of stress and guilt. Instead of going all-in, set a budget and stick to it. You can also set spending limits on gifts and activities. If you can’t afford to buy something nice for everyone you want to give a gift to, don’t do it. Try to do experience-based gifts instead of material gifts whenever possible. You can also give gift cards, which are a tried and true gift that almost anyone will appreciate.


Enlist as much help as possible

If you have family members that live nearby, see if they can help with gift shopping, holiday meal preparation, or hosting an event. You can also ask friends and coworkers if they can help with errands or other non-essential tasks. Having the extra help will lighten your load and reduce your stress level. You can also hire help if necessary. If you want to host an event but don’t want to do all the work, hire a party planner, or you can hire a cleaning company to take care of the day after clean up if you are hosting at home for a lot of people.


Making self-care a priority

Part of reducing holiday stress is making self-care a priority. This means making time for rest, relaxation, and self-care activities. Put these things on your calendar just like any other event or appointment. Consider booking some spa treatments, getting a massage, or even just treating yourself to your favorite products from The Standard. You can also make time to see family members you don’t see very often. These quality time events will help reduce feeling overwhelmed and allow you to recharge your batteries.


Say “no” to unnecessary commitments.

Sometimes people will impose on us during the holidays and make us commit to things we don’t really want to do. If you feel you are being asked to do something you don’t really want to do, consider saying “no.” You aren’t being rude or selfish by saying “no” to things you don’t want to do. You are being kind to yourself and showing others that you have limits. If you commit to something you don’t want to do and resent it, you will only add to your feelings of stress and overwhelm.


Focus on the positives

If you feel stressed and overwhelmed, you should focus on the negatives. You should focus on how much you have to do and how little time you have to do it all. But it’s essential to focus on the positives as well. If you have family members visiting, make sure to focus on that. If you have to host an event at work, make sure to focus on how excited you are about it. 


Conclusion

The holidays can be stressful, but setting your limits and allowing yourself time to unwind and enjoy the festivities will help you to make the most of the season and celebrate with your loved ones.


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