4 Tips For A Stress-Less Holiday Season

They are officially here. The Holidays! But before everything ramps up and everyone gets amped up … I want to share some tips to help you prepare now. Because a ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to having a stress-less holiday.

And it all starts with that little thing called self-care. =)

All those little rituals that you used to take care of yourself with, when life gets hectic, somehow (magically?) get replaced by glass after glass of wine. LOL Which is funny-ironic not funny-haha because glasses of wine will probably make you feel worse, will a little self- care will probably make you feel better.

So, here are a few ways you can keep yourself from turning into a crabby turkey over Thanksgiving (or Christmas.)

1. Consider making a simple meal plan during the holidays, so you can avoid hitting the drive-thru too often. Takeout treats are exceptionally high in salt and sugar, not to mention preservatives and “mystery ingredients” which may leave you feeling swollen, bloated, and blah. Not only that, but that excess sugar can affect the good bacteria in your gut that helps you fight off cold and flu viruses.

   Planning Ahead: What are some easy meals you can throw together at the last minute? My go-to’s are Salmon Croquettes, or some sort of frittata, or soup. You can do a search for “sheet pan recipes” on Google or Pinterest if you want to find some quick and easy meals that won’t take a lot of time!

2. Don’t throw in the towel on your fitness.  Not only will staying active make you feel better, but it will likely help you keep colds and infections at bay. Did you know that one study found that women who walked for a half-hour every day for a year had 50% fewer colds than those who didn’t. They think it’s because regular walking leads to having more infection-fighting white blood cells. The holiday bonus is that exercise can help you fight stress. When you work out, your body releases more feel-good, mood-boosting hormones.

   Planning Ahead: Consider parking at the back of the grocery store parking lot or taking a few extra flights of stairs. If it’s cold where you are, bundle up and head outside midday to catch a few minutes of mood-boost rays too.

3. Make a to-do list. If you have a hectic holiday schedule (who doesn’t?), start planning NOW so you can do as much ahead of time as possible. Running around at the last minute trying to get everything done does not a stress-less holiday make. Put together a checklist of everything you have to do, and then decide what you need to do, and see if there’s anything you can delegate or get help with.

   Planning Ahead: It’s not always just about “chores” and running errands. Don’t forget to think about food preparation things like making cornbread or picking up bread and milk. Some things can be done in advance (like making cornbread for cornbread stuffing) and that will keep you from having too much at the last minute. 

4. Plan some time to relax. Make time for family and friends, and enjoying old traditions or making new ones. I know it can be really hard, but let go of expectations of how you think things “should” go, and just enjoy them as they are! It’s often the things that happen out of the ordinary that we look back on with a smile.

   Planning Ahead: Whether you’re going to be alone or working over the holidays, make time to do something special to mark the occasion! Watch a movie, eat a special meal, or treat yourself to a spa session.

Here’s to a stress-less holiday season!