Holidays can bring so much joy and happiness….and they can also bring you so much stress! Who else deals with that? I made a holiday meal for Thanksgiving and just about had a breakdown when it was time to put the food on the table. It got really stressful in no time flat.
So, what do you do to relieve some of the holiday stress? We are heading into the Christmas season, where you will be pulled in many different directions. Here are a few things you can do to get organized and sit easier during the year.
Make a List
Making a list is your number one way to keep from getting stressed. Knowing precisely what you have to do will make it easier to visualize what has to be accomplished. Frequently, you will find yourself getting worried when you have a vague idea of what you have to do.
It can seem overwhelming when your tasks are swimming around in your mind. That is why you need to write it down. You can see your to-do’s and mark them off as you complete items.
This will allow you to schedule or prioritize tasks as needed. And trust me when I say that your spouse doesn’t need to be high on that list. I don’t mean they’re not important! What I mean is, they love you. They love everything you do for them. And they will love whatever gadget, toy, book, or letter you make for them. Here’s a list of romantic gift ideas that are reasonably inexpensive yet will warm their heart. Don’t stress about your spouse. I promise they have your back and will love whatever you do for them.
Pair Down Your List
Once you write down your list of to-do’s, you might need to reduce the list. There is only so much time in the day. Write down the top things that have to get accomplished and are non-negotiable.
Then write down the other things you would like to get done. As time goes on, you might need to cut things off of the list and be ok that you won’t get to everything. It is ok if you can’t do it all.
Dole Out Tasks to Others
Even if you are Wonder Woman, you need to dole out tasks to others. If you have a list, it will make it very easy to get other people in your family to help you out.
When you assign something to a member of your family, you have to let them do it. Giving up control is one of the biggest reasons that people do not ask for help from others. Do not hoard the things that have to get done. Freely give responsibility to others.
Take Time to Relax
It can seem counterproductive to take time to relax when things get busy. However, it would help if you had time to recharge to accomplish everything. If you allow yourself to burn out, then you will not get as much done. One of my favorite things to tell others, and remind myself of, is to take time and go eat a doughnut.
Give yourself grace during the season. Allow yourself to relax and take time to rejuvenate. Find ways to enjoy the holidays, and put the stress behind you.
If you find that you are getting very stressed out, take a break. That is a good sign that you are in danger of hitting burnout. Do what you need to do to reduce the stress. Use some of the tips that I have laid out for you to help keep the pressure down.
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