Christmas music, snow days, baking Christmas cookies, Christmas movies, picking out and decorating the tree, hot chocolate (or mulled wine…wink, wink), Ummmm, can you tell I love Christmas?
To me, the Christmas spirit is the feeling I get from all of these things combined.
However, a merry little Christmas can quickly turn into a stressful one if we let it. While the holidays can be a cheerful time full of traditions and enjoying family, they can also make us feel like we’re in over our heads.
We all know when Christmas is every year, and should make time to prepare for the chaos it brings. Nevertheless, we somehow manage to let it stress us out time and time again.
The financial pressures of gift giving, overwhelmingly packed shops, and potential family conflicts, leave us with no time to enjoy the season’s pleasant charms.
This anxiety can deeply affect our mental health. Thankfully there are some things we can do to avoid holiday stress.
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How To Get Into the Christmas Spirit and Avoid Holiday Stress
Budget for Christmas
Give yourself a budget and stick to it! We often get carried away when buying gifts and don’t pay attention to how much we’re actually spending.
Before we know it, we’ve spent way too much and are not even halfway through our list. Having a budget can keep you on track financially and reduce holiday stress.
Plan Ahead
Leaving things for the last minute can cause extra anxiety. Instead, plan for a day of Christmas shopping.
Write down a few gift ideas and food ingredients in a daily to-do notepad so you know where to go and what to get. Set aside a day for baking and one for decorating as well.
With a plan in place, you may find you have some extra time for a spa day, which will help keep you relaxed and clear-minded.
Just a bit of organization can make all the difference in how you feel this holiday season.
Say No
Committing to too many engagements during this time of year can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
I get so excited with all of the Christmas activities and events going on, that I attempt to do them all!
Learning to say no to some of these events can keep your schedule free for some much needed self care days.
This way, you can enjoy a lot of what the season has to offer without burning out.
Give Mindful Gifts
I have reached a point in my life where I prefer experiences to material things. Think of a thoughtful activity that will really make someone smile.
Take them out to eat their favorite food or bake their favorite dessert together. These experiences will resonate more with them, and you will have created new Christmas memories.
Consider homemade gifts that feel more personal and are less expensive than store bought items.
Or why not spread the no-stress holiday vibe with a self care box anyone would love! Here’s a great one for the men in your life as well.
Focus on the Meaning of Christmas
Perhaps the hardest thing to do in the midst of all the craziness, is to really focus on the meaning of Christmas… thinking of others, spending quality time with friends and family, and just really enjoying the warm and cozy feeling this time of year brings.
Choose a day to get together to write Christmas cards, and actually send them out! People don’t do this anymore so imagine the surprise and joy they’ll feel when they receive a Christmas card in the mail.
Go Outside
Being in nature and getting some sun is a huge stress reducer. Take a stroll in your city and admire the beautiful holiday decor.
Taking time to be outdoors and getting some fresh air is extremely beneficial to our mental health, which we must maintain throughout this hectic time of year.
Meditate
Set an alarm each day for a five minute meditation. Just taking these few minutes to breathe and center yourself, can ease feelings of holiday stress.
Add something fun like these stress-less cards to your mindful practice for better reflection. They’re also extremely helpful as gratitude journal prompts.
Light a Christmas candle and pour yourself a cup of hot chocolate…create a peaceful, Christmassy ambiance and feel the anxiety subside. Meditation can be a huge savior during the holidays.
Maintain Healthy Habits
Don’t let the chaos throw you off schedule. Maintaining a healthy exercise routine during the holidays (even a simple 20 minute workout), is crucial and can help you avoid holiday stress.
Choose a simple workout routine that will fit in with holiday activities. Keeping it simple will help you stick with it (even on the busiest shopping day)!
Savor the Feeling and Spirit of Christmas
Do what makes you feel the Christmas spirit, not what you think you should be doing. Picture the Christmas you want and bring it to life.
This could be going to see a Christmas show, listening to carolers, having a cookie baking day with friends or cutting down your own tree.
The point is to do these things and really savor the feeling. Enjoy every minute of it and try to do this every year from now on.
Make holiday stress a thing of the past and start focusing on the true spirit of Christmas.
Conclusion
While it can be an intensely stressful time of year, remember that you can choose how you respond to the stress. Don’t worry about perfection or expensive gifts.
Slow down this year and focus more on the meaning of Christmas. Learning to avoid holiday stress is important for maintaining mental health, which is by far the most important gift we can give ourselves.
What are your go-to hacks for keeping calm during the holidays? I would love to know! Share your comments below.
