Holiday Stress and How To Survive (and Enjoy) the Holidays

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

The holidays are here!  If you love the holidays like me, then you’re stoked and are already listening to Christmas music (true story).

But if not, then you’re probably already feeling the holiday stress and dreading all the things you have to do.  Family parties, gift buying, house decorating, Christmas cards….

The holidays can be a lot.  Not to mention wedding planning too.

If you love it, then it’s fun.  But, I get it if it’s not your thing.

Christmas and the holidays are a busy time full of stuff to do, places to be, and obligations to meet.  It can feel like you’re in a crazy frenzied state.

Holiday stress makes you feel tired and overrun.  And hey, I’ll be honest…I love the holidays and I can feel that way too sometimes.

But no one wants holiday stress.  So, to help you out I’ve got 2 tips to help you survive (and enjoy) the holidays and wedding planning too.

2 Tips to Get Rid of Holiday Stress

(so you don’t look like this)

(Photo credit: Christmas Lights of Arizona)

Tip #1 – Be grateful

I mentioned in our Thanksgiving post about the power of gratitude.  It really is a powerful thing.  The good feeling you get from being kind and appreciating others, spills over to your whole life.

When you’re feeling that holiday stress, take a moment and breathe.  Then close your eyes and think of one thing you’re grateful for.  One thing that makes you happy that you’re thankful for.  It could be a person (like your fiancé), a joke, a moment you had that day.

Let it fill you up.

(Photo credit: Jerry Yoon Photographers)

You’ll start to feel warm inside and probably start smiling just thinking about it.  And then take that feeling and share that love you feel with others.

If you’re grateful for a person, tell them.  Do something nice for someone else.  Smile and thank the barista.  Give someone a hug.

Your gratitude doesn’t have to be big or showy.  The smallest acts can mean so much not only to someone else but to you as well.  When you do good, you feel good.  Not only will this make you feel better, but it’s what the holidays are all about, happy times and good cheer.

Tip #2 – Simplify and remember the important stuff

Ok, so a big part of holiday stress is all the “stuff”.  Things like gifts, cards, trees, decor, cooking, etc…

Instead of running yourself ragged over all this stuff, instead, simplify.

The stuff is not what makes the holidays.  It’s about the experience, the time with the people you love and the loving and joyful spirit of giving.  But the giving doesn’t have to be the prettiest thing or even something material.  The experience doesn’t have to be the fanciest thing.

Remember that the holidays are about sharing with those you love and the time you spend together.

(Photo credit: Kate Webber)

So, go out to dinner or order in instead of slaving over a kitchen.  Make your gifts something you do as opposed to something you own.  Call and chat with your friends instead of mailing cards.  Step away from Pinterest and decorate in the ways that are fun for you (or not at all).  Hire someone to help you run some errands.

Make it all simpler and happier in whatever way works for you.  Remember the important stuff, the stuff that matters and simplify everything else.  You’ll have a much better time and be way happier.

Banish holiday stress with these two tips and actually enjoy the holidays this year.  What a concept, right?  But, it’s possible and you can do it.

Want in on a little secret?

These same tips apply to planning your wedding too and can make it a whole lot more enjoyable.

And if you really want to banish stress and enjoy the wedding planning process, hire a pro.  Contact us today and let us help make wedding planning easier and happier for you!