5 ways to cut back stress this Holidays

The holiday season is upon us, and it comes with a lot of excitement: decorations, good food, festivities and seeing friends. But that can come with a lot of stress. This time of year, we tend to feel the weight of unsaid expectations. That means we may feel the need to excel by giving the perfect present, making the best meal, being a perfect host, or just appearing festive when it’s actually been a tough year.

If that’s you, then making some small changes may be just what you need to actually enjoy the season. Here are five suggestions.

1. Delegate

   
   Are you planning an event – be it a Kris Kringle swap, a work party or the family dinner? Then delegation is your super power. Instead of taking care of everything, ask others to pitch in. Ask someone to send out invitations or book a venue. If you’re coordinating a meal, ask everyone to bring something; salads, drinks and desserts are manageable. And if that’s not a possibility, keep it simple! A bbq, catering, BYO or eating out are all great options!
   

2. Plan ahead
   

   If the festive season feels out of your control, then make a plan. Place all your events in a calendar and set yourself start and end times. If you have nothing on the next day, you can be flexible. But if you need to organise a baby sitter, or have an early morning, then you can plan to be out the door by 9pm. If you are an introvert or experience social anxiety, this is also useful because you can portion your energy and prioritise what you will really enjoy.
   

3. Manage expectations
   

   One of the most challenging parts of the season comes with managing the expectations of family and friends. How often do we over extend ourselves to please others? It might look like cooking a roast lunch with all the trimmings for nan, or going into debt to afford presents for every family member. Be realistic with yourself. What can you do, what can you afford, and what do you want to do? Communicate this to your family and friends. This could be as simple as saying “I’m not able to do a roast dinner this year, if you would like it then can people prepare xyz?” Or “I thought catering would be great this year.” When it comes to presents, keep it simple. Suggest a Kris Kringle, so everyone only purchases one present under a certain amount. Or, do hand made gifts.
   

4. Enjoy the moment
   

   If you’re feeling stressed, there is a good chance you are thinking ahead to everything that needs to be done. This is totally understandable, but don’t allow the season to become an endless to do list. Instead, enter the season and each event with a clear idea of your boundaries. Commit to them, and give yourself permission to pause and enjoy the moment. You don’t need to over extend or people please, and stressing over tomorrows plans won’t help. So give yourself permission to find some joy in each event or activity you’re involved in. Isn’t that what the season is about?
   

5. Say no
   

   You are allowed to say no this festive season. Don’t compare your family to everybody else’s. The fact is, the holidays are wonderful but they can also be tough. We navigate health issues, financial strain, relationships, conflict and every day life. Don’t push yourself beyond your threshold. Say no when required, ask for help when you need it, or create a new tradition for your family. It’s okay. You can’t do it wrong if you’re doing it in love.