It is the middle of December, and I find myself coaching more and more people on feeling overwhelmed and stressed. It is a common thing this time of year. We have many tasks on our list that we have added on top of work, home, and family responsibilities. I have an additional massive list of my own, which is unrelated to the holidays. There are many things that I have procrastinated on, and as the New Year approaches, I feel pressured to begin to get much of it done. For instance, This blog is something I should have done weeks ago. Today, I am finally getting to it.
With this in mind, let's talk about how to relax into the holidays while still getting all the "stuff" done that we want or need to accomplish.
To relax is "to make or become less tense or anxious. To rest or engage in an enjoyable activity to become less tired or anxious."
It is essential to spend some time relaxing because you cannot bring joy and peace to others in your life if you are filled with stress and anxiety. What makes the holiday season unique is the relationships that you enjoy and being present to take it all in. When stressed, we are wrapped up in thinking about the next thing on the list and miss the magic happening right before us. Also, staying stressed throughout the holiday season begins to take a toll on our bodies. How many holidays have you had with a cold or flu because you were not caring for yourself physically? Relaxation and self-care are how we create healthy bodies.
How do we get to everything that needs to happen and take time to relax?
Plan as much as possible. We all know when the holidays are approaching, so if you can get some of the work done ahead of time, you will feel more relaxed as the days approach. Do some shopping in the summer or fall, buy your Christmas cards early and get them sent, make your food plan and buy what you can ahead of time, and even delegate some of the work. Ordering out or sharing the cooking responsibilities will not change the joy in the holiday meal.
Get fresh air daily, even if it is only for a short walk. Getting out in nature is always relaxing, even in the bitter cold. You may feel worked up as the wind whips at your face, but your body will relax when you return to your warm home. It is like a cold plunge, all the rage right now. A brisk walk in the nature will help you remain present and will shock your body into relaxing once you become warm again.
If you are a baker, and even if you are not, baking holiday treats can bring you out of your stress and help you focus on the joy of the season. I am not much of a cook, but if I buy the premade sugar cookie dough, roll it out, and make cut Christmas cookies to decorate, I feel some holiday peace and joy. Even watching other people eat the cookies feels good to me, as if I am caring for the people I love.
I also like to watch my favorite Christmas movies while baking or wrapping gifts. The cheesy movies remind me that life is not as complicated as I make it out to be. Nothing is more important than peace and relationships during the holidays; almost every movie reminds me of that lesson.
Keep the gifts simple. I tend to go overboard when buying gifts for others. I love the feeling of generosity, and that causes me to overspend and buy. If you have that tendency, set a financial or number limit on your gifts. Most people don't care how much you spend or give but are flattered that you thought of them. Keeping your giving in check will add to the feelings of peace by giving you more time to focus on other tasks. Less wrapping, planning, shopping, and less money on your credit cards in January. Make your gift list, then remove at least one thing to keep it simpler.
Remember to be grateful. Spend time with your journal daily to remember the season's blessings. Gratitude always feels better than being overwhelmed and stressed. Look around each day and choose two things to feel thankful for. Write those down and post them somewhere you can read them daily. I also like to post my Christmas cards somewhere prominent to help remind me that I have many friends and relatives who are thinking of me. I am grateful for that. Seeing them daily helps bring me back to the meaning of the season.
My best holiday relaxation tip is to not compare your holiday to others. I am naturally competitive, so everything about the holiday causes me stress unless I consciously work to overcome that feeling of competition. I want to get my lights up first, have the most lights, the best Christmas tree and decor, and the best gifts. This way of thinking is not joyful, nor is it peace-inducing. Remember that comparison is the thief of your joy, so appreciate what you have, not what others have better than you. Letting go of comparison is critical to relaxing and feeling at peace. The reason for the season has nothing to do with accomplishments, gifts, or food. Keeping that in mind will help you to relax.
I hope these tips will help you relax and enjoy your holiday season. If you have other tips, please share them in the comments below.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year! My best to you and your family.
Dr. Julie Cappel
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