The holidays are a popular time for people to take trips, whether to visit family, take a vacation, or just escape the weather.
Lots of us, though, find ourselves on a one way trip to Stressville without even knowing when we bought the ticket.
The holidays are supposed to be fun and relaxing, a time to enjoy friends and family. But somewhere along the way, we’ve turned it into a contest to see who can outdo who, even if it’s just outdoing your efforts from previous years.
Being the perfectionists that we are, we ADD Women try extra hard to make everything just so. And maybe I’m wrong, but I think that being more familiar than most with failures and screw ups makes us want to really pull off something wonderful for our families just once.
You know that stress is no good for you.
In addition to making you short tempered and crabby, it messes with your blood pressure, your sleep, your stomach, and your general health.
So how do you get through this crazy season without getting stressed?
First, decide to give it your best shot.
Next, learn to say one very important word: no. It’s OK to say it. It’s even good to say it. Say it often.
Now take a look at your entire month of December. What’s going on? Do you have a single day that isn’t scheduled for something?
Before you make any changes, take a moment to think and maybe even journal. What are your values? What’s important to you above all else?
Family, of course, but go further than that.
What kind of holiday does your family want to experience? What kind do you want them to experience? Let’s think about feelings and emotions, not things.
Now what would give them that?
Maybe they expect a Christmas tree and some gifts, a good meal, but do they care if the whole house is decked out? Would they notice fewer decorations and lights, or even fewer gifts? Would it really matter?
I’ve heard more than one person say that this year they are doing less and I’m totally on board with that.
This year, instead of putting out my collection of over 100 snowmen, I am only putting out the ones I truly love. And the ones that have seen better days? Well, it’s time for them to go.
I want to give myself the gift of peace and sanity this year. You should consider it yourself.
Here are some of the ways that I am reducing my stress level this year and avoiding a trip to Stressville.
- I am decorating less
- I am going for an elegant but simple meal for Christmas day and may just do whatever for Christmas eve. There’s no need for all that cooking.
- We don’t normally have a lot of sweets around our house, but this year I may have Christmas cookies for my grandson. And if I buy them at the grocery store, that’s OK. He won’t care.
- I am cutting back on the number of gifts and concentrating on things people need or really want.
- I am doing a lot of shopping online, mostly on Amazon because that makes it much simpler.
- I have decided not to send out Christmas cards and not to feel guilty if someone sends me one.
- I’m playing a lot of Christmas music in the house and the car. I love it and it relaxes me.
- I am trying to find solutions for very quick and simple meals this time of year so dinner doesn’t become a chore. I’ll share the ones I find and like.
So what do you say? How about you jump off that ride to Stressville and join me?
What are you doing to de-stress this year?