Naturally, the Holidays bring so much joy, connecting with friends and family, all the festivities. Then there is the stress of the hundreds of things to do and places to go.
The end of the year preparation brings its demands. Before you know it, you are exhausted and wish there was another way to prepare and celebrate. This article discusses how remembering four essential tips will help you manage holiday stress.
It’s been a tough year, and it may get more brutal, and there is no doubt that the holidays bring a lot of stress. If you are worried about gathering with family during this holiday season and are unnerved by a lot of what is happening, you are not alone. Daily routines are great, but when we get super busy most of what is good for us tends to get put on the back burner. You know the daily stuff that is spectacular for your wellbeing. Practices such as meditation, intentions, prayer, exercise, and connecting with others are essential to managing stress.
There Is a Better Way
If you completed your to-do list by Thanksgiving, and you are resting with your feet up. Don’t read any further.
These tips are for you if you seem to have way too much to do and not enough time.
You may be the type that has inner arguments about how you could have planned better but didn’t. Maybe you want to make homemade cookies and entrees that require lots of ingredients and prepping. The type that likes it just so and has trouble settling for less. You will find these Holiday Stress Buster Tips game changers!
Let’s face it Holiday stress can get the best of us, but you always have T.I.T.S.
Yes, T.I.T.S.!
Remember these four tips, and you will be good to go!
How Do You Manage Holiday Stress?
We often see stress and convert it from external demand to the inner dialogue of disappointment, self-criticism, annoyance, and anxiety. What if your perception of stress took a shift to see it for what it is? Stress is a challenge or obstacle that can rock us or teach us. We can learn to glide instead of run around like a chicken with its head cut off. We can decide to slow down, access quick tips, and enjoy the season despite all the stuff that once tripped us up.
How to Manage Holiday Stress
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T. I. T. S.
T. Temporary
The condition of stress, whether daily anxiety or significant stress, is temporary. Remember, it is about how you perceive your stress. You get to decide if it is a roadblock or an obstacle you get to overcome.
When you see it as just another obstacle, your perception shifts to assessing the situation as it is, without considerable judgment or anxiety; holiday stress is a temporary condition that will be over in a few weeks. You have done it before. You will conquer it again.
I. Insight
Having insight is thinking about how you are feeling. Consider examining the ways you process your stressful situations. Are you inclined to be critical of the way you handle stress? Are you likely to see your stress as a considerable problem rather than an opportunity to grow or learn?
Decide to see your stress as an old friend you may not be too fond of, but you deal with them anyway. You chose to make the best of it. You are mindful of the self-talk you are rehearsing in your head. When it is unproductive, talk it down. Say to yourself, “I can do this without being hard on myself or doing too much.” And you can say, “I can come up with easier and simpler alternatives, it is o.k. if it is not perfect.” Having insight is critical to managing stress.
T. Tools
Practicing a stress-reducing technique such as Relaxing Breath or the Four, Seven, Eight Method is inhaling and exhaling through the nose by first inhaling to the count of four. Hold your breath to the count of seven. Exhale to the count of eight. Repeat this 3-5 times or for as long as it takes to feel relaxed and less agitated. You always have your breath, so use it to get collected and calm whenever you need it, and no one will be the wiser.
If you are so stressed that you have difficulty settling yourself, go for a walk outside. A brisk walk while noticing what you see, hear, and smell. Take deep breaths and sing a tune in your head or out loud. Make it a point to address stress with breathing techniques or physical activity. You can also phone a friend and ventilate. Talk about what is stressing you. Work it out by talking and listening. It will feel better.
S. Self-Compassion
Self-compassion helps us to align to the kindness we extend to ourselves. We commit to treating ourselves as we would treat a friend. We wouldn’t scold our friends for getting stressed and having a difficult time. We would encourage them that they are doing their best and they will see this challenge through.
Remember to treat yourself as you would your dearest friend. Give yourself a break. Talk nice to yourself with kindness and encouragement. You are doing a good thing when you show yourself compassion. Being kind to oneself is a fabulous way to fill your cup and see the world in a more forgiving light.
Tits refer to breasts and small birds. Interestingly birds do not worry about their next meal or what they need to be doing. They glide around, trusting all is o.k. Your breasts, big or small, fill a bra, feed a baby if you want, and make a better side view. They are yours. You remember them each day because you have them. Also, they remind you that stress is temporary, you have insight and tools, and you can be most compassionate to yourself. Celebrate, not ruminate.
Naturally, the Holidays bring so much joy, connecting with friends and family, all the festivities. Then there is the stress of the hundreds of things to do and places to go.
The end of the year preparation brings its demands. Before you know it, you are exhausted and wish there was another way to prepare and celebrate. This article discusses how remembering four essential tips will help you manage holiday stress.
Happy Holidays!
