How to manage holiday stress

Stress can do a number on us on a normal day but combine it with the holidays and watch out!
The levels of stress can hit all time highs from November through January 1st.
People get stressed over buying gifts, money (or lack thereof), relatives, parties, work…
just everything.

Don’t let stress get you down.

Schedule time to de-stress.
You schedule everything else — work, school, holiday parties, etc. so schedule time to relax and unwind!
Plan it and actually follow through with a time (even if it’s only 30 minutes) to relax…get a massage, do some yoga, meditate, read a book or magazine.
Do something that helps you unwind and escape
If you’re stressed out and don’t do this, it can affect your sleep, immune system, digestive system and pretty much throw you off kilter.
If you’re thinking I have too much to do to relax that’s when you need to really relax.
You’ll end up trying to get everything done, and eventually all the stress will catch up with you and wipe you out somehow (cold, flu, tired) for longer than the period of time you need to relax and rest.
So, go…relax.breath.enjoy.

Accept imperfection.
Everything will never be perfect, so don’t drive yourself crazy trying to make it perfect.
Let go and let things be good enough and allow yourself to accept that and enjoy it.

Let go
Instead of falling into the commercialism of the holidays, release yourself of any guilt or thoughts that you have to go all out and appease everyone’s desires and what everyone wants to make them happy.
Not saying to be self absorbed or selfish, but you can’t go nuts trying to satisfy everyone and destroy yourself in the process.
Don’t worry if someone else got Aunt Jane a better gift than you, get what you want or make a hand made gift that is more personal than some expensive item you picked up that you can’t afford but are doing it for your own ego.

Say “No”
Shocker, but you can in fact say no to people during the holiday season (and even when it’s not the holidays).
Don’t feel obligated to go to every party, buy everyone the gifts they want, participate in Secret Santa at work, make everyone the cookies & cakes they want.
You have to choose which things are your priorities and do those and only those.
Allow time for the events that you absolutely want to do and be part of and then the others, say “No” to (and be ok with saying no).

Remember
Yes, remember…what the holidays are really about!

If you need help with stress management, consider hiring a coach to help you.

Question of the day
What is your favorite way to unwind?

*side note*
I just signed up with Krysalis Fit as an Independent Consultant and am now selling some awesome fitness gear, clothing, accessories and wanted to share the gift of fit with you if you wanted to give someone (or yourself) a healthy fit gift set to help unwind (there’s a yoga kit, too).
Just click the image to go to myfitconsultant.com to order the holiday kits or anything else that’s on there.