Healthy Holiday Tips: Stress Management

Anyone else feel like you are at the top of the roller coaster ride just waiting for the mad free fall into the holiday season?

November and December always seem busy and full of commitments.  With Thanksgiving smack up against Chanukah this year, for many it is probably even worse than usual.

So, how do you get some control?
How do you keep the focus on what is truly important?
How do you keep the stress of the holidays at bay?

Here are some healthy holiday tips:

• Make other plans.  No kidding. Right now. Open your calendar and mark every available evening and weekend with “Plans”.  That way when you receive an invitation you can quite honestly say, “We have other plans.” Those other plans may be a glass of wine in front of the fire, but those type of plans are important to managing stress over the holidays.
• Remember “No” is a complete sentence.
• Set Goals. Think about it. What do you really want over the next month?  Setting two or three reasonable and achievable goals can help keep things in perspective and allow you to say no to the things that do not support the goals. For example, this year my three goals are to: focus more on the people around my table than what is on the table, get my shopping done by December 20, and go to sleep by 11 pm at least six days out of seven.
• Be kind to yourself. It is okay, and completely healthy, to put your sanity, health, and enjoyment first.  If you are feeling too tired to go out, don’t.  If you are feeling too stress to host a big meal, find a different way.  Perhaps changing up what has always been will allow a new tradition everyone enjoys.

Now it’s your turn. What are you doing to manage your stress this holiday season?  Please share a comment below.

Look for more healthy holiday tips coming your way soon!