12 Tips for Reducing Holiday Madness
The holidays can be a time of not only increased joy and togetherness, but also increased stress. This holiday season, treat yourself right by planning some time out to care for your own spirit.
(PRWEB) November 18, 2004
We all know the holidays can be a time of not only increased joy and togetherness, but also increased stress—sometimes because of all that togetherness! This holiday season, treat yourself right by planning some time out to care for your own spirit.
1. Enjoy some simple family time. Cook a healthy meal together, or order in and tell stories. Play a board game or cards. Simplicity is key -- sit around the kitchen table or lounge in the living room. Just unplug and take time to be together without rushing around to events, parties and shopping.
2. Write gratitude letters. Instead of giving gifts to friends and extended family members, try giving them the gift of loving thoughts. Between friends and family whom you care about, without too much trouble you may find yourself with 20 people for whom youÂ’d like to buy gifts. Invite people to participate in an exchange of gratitude rather than gifts. Remember those love letters you will keep forever? Sometimes the sentiment holds far greater value than anything money can buy.
3. Buy gifts as you go. Buying gifts little by little year-round for birthdays and holidays takes so much pressure off! Being on the lookout for gifts for others throughout the year is not only fun, but also helps to keep mindless spending to a minimum. And it also lets you budget throughout the year, rather than dive into a wild spending frenzy. Just remember to keep gifts in a specific location so you donÂ’t forget about them come holiday time.
4. Drink decaf. Caffeine + stress ¹ relaxation. Sure it feels good at first, helping to pry open tired eyes in the morning, providing a kick in the pants to get motivated, but the downside isn’t pretty. Irritability, anxiety and over-sensitivity are just a few drawbacks that don’t benefit you or loved ones. Try some fresh fruit juice, decaf tea or coffee (or half-regular and half-decaf to get started) or a “natural” alternative from a health food store like Teechino. (Please don’t begin this the week prior to a big holiday -- just cut back a bit until you have time to wean yourself while not amid wild times.)
5. Fill your love quota. Cuddle a pet, stuffed animal, loved one. Take a bath and nurture yourself (for non bath-takers, get a great-smelling shower gel and give your skin a good scrub). Hug, touch and express your feelings about friends. If you feel alone or stumped on how to fill your quota, try visiting an old-folks home or childrenÂ’s hospital to experience a deeper connection with people who need it. You might be surprised how you benefit as much or more!
6. Have an electronic-free day. If at all possible, be it for an hour or for an entire day, turn it all off. Turn off or unplug the TV, computer, phone, cell phone, even the radio and see what it is like to be still. All those electric sound waves do make noise -- we just donÂ’t notice. Let go of all the stimuli and enjoy reading a book or going for a walk in nature.
7. Trim back on the trimmings. Perhaps you have accumulated a hundred pounds of holiday décor over the years. Do you really need it all? No one says you have to throw it away, but perhaps select your favorites and rotate or donate the rest. I was once in a woman’s home who adored Christmas, but it literally took her about two weeks to assemble and even longer to re-pack everything. Talk about reclaiming time!
8. Avoid “over-promising.” If you are a loving, giving person, chances are good that the holidays can catch you over-committing and promising to do more than you can tackle. Let go of unnecessary responsibilities and events that your heart isn’t into, and see how much more time and energy you have for yourself and loved ones. If you don’t say “yes” so much, you won’t have to rush, cancel or feel so harried this season.
9. Recruit a wrapper. Enough people love to wrap gifts to make up for those who donÂ’t enjoy it or donÂ’t have the time. Hire a teenage neighbor, ask your spouse if s/he enjoys it, or delegate it. Take advantage of storesÂ’ or online outletsÂ’ wrapping options. Just as in business, you want to leverage your time to do things that you do best and keep you feeling great.
10. Put in great fuel. Moderation being the key, do your best to balance out rich, sweet, salty foods and extreme drinks with food and drink that make you feel great. Try to incorporate fresh, non-packaged foods daily as well as fruits, whole-grain breads and light foods. Incorporate plenty of water to balance all the celebrating. That way, when you do attend the festivities, you know that you have done your best at balance and wonÂ’t feel bloated and guilty for days after.
11. Keep entertaining simple. Maybe you reduce the number of events you host, or perhaps you can convert one into a potluck. Remember, the holiday season is not about being a perfect entertainer with flawless gourmet treats; it is about the gathering of people we care about. Enjoy the company and let yourself off the hook a bit about hosting so many (or any) events. (And please, if you are hosting an event because you feel you have to, pass the torch on to someone who might actually enjoy the honor!)
12. Laugh and have fun! You need not have riches galore or the best presents to celebrate the holidays. Remember to lighten up and have fun — that, after all, is what the holidays were designed for -- to honor and celebrate. When you find yourself getting too serious, play! Play with kids, the dog, buddies, go bowling. Laughing is uplifting, healing and just plain fun.
Robin Peglow is a certified Holistic Health Counselor, trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, with a masterÂ’s degree in experiential and adventure education from Prescott College. As an Integrative Life Coach, Robin helps clients to access their inner power through alignment with values, purpose and intuition. For more information, e-mail robin@signsoflifehealth. com or call (303) 282-1077.
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