As soon as Halloween is over, many of us turn our attention to the upcoming holiday season. You may already feel like you need a break from all the planning! Holiday preparations can easily become overwhelming, but a few simple steps can help you regain control. Here are tips to help ensure that the season is more joyful than stressful.

• Set a budget for the holidays and stick to it, even if that means resetting the expectations of your family and friends. You might find a lot of support for scaled-down holiday gift giving.

• Make your gift list in advance and plan a shopping strategy within your budget before you go online or head out to make your purchases. With your plan in hand, you’ll be more likely to finish your shopping quickly and not go over budget.

• Break some traditions. Don’t feel obligated to live up to everyone’s expectations; you can’t do everything all at once. It’s OK to drop a tradition if you don’t have time for it.

• Carve out time for yourself. Once you’ve let go of unrealistic expectations, use the extra time to do something for yourself, such as reading a book or watching a good movie.

• Scale back on social engagements. If you’ve been invited to an overwhelming number of holiday events, it’s OK to say no to some of them. Suggest to those family members and friends that you get together after the holiday whirlwind is over.

• Find ways to combat loneliness. If, on the other hand, your social calendar is more sparse than you’d like this year, reach out to others or look for organized holiday activities in your community.

• Take time to vent to a friend. Talking things out really does help relieve stress – and meeting face to face is even better than by text or phone. If you both can make the time, reach out to your most understanding friend for a little care and support.

• Keep up healthy habits, such as exercise and a nutritious diet. For exercise, try yoga. Yoga is simple to learn, and it can help improve general wellness by relieving stress, supporting good health habits and improving mental/emotional health, sleep and balance. Eat a healthful diet and limit high-fat and high-sugar holiday treats.

Sources:
Prevention
The StayWell Company, LLC