Keep Calm and Carry On This Holiday Season

lady-in-bath

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – or not. Let’s face it, with the back-to-back holiday parties, the endless Christmas shopping and excessive crowds, and the ceaseless cooking and family gatherings, the festive season can go from merry to manic in a matter of moments.

The question is, how do you do less and enjoy more this holiday season? We’ve rounded up four ways to help keep you organized and stay sane during the holiday rush.

Be Good to Your Body

“Take care of yourself.” We’ve all heard this a million times, but it merits repeating especially during the holidays. Studies continually show that those who get a good night’s sleep are more focused, are more apt to handle stress, and are generally happier (along with a whole host of other perks!) And, while it may be hard to get to the gym in between work and holiday shopping, we suggest walking away your worries when feeling stressed. Exercise has been shown to be a natural stress reliever as well as an overall mood booster.

Plan Ahead

Just like a runner visualizes themselves crossing the finish line, the best way to stay on track this holiday season is to look ahead and plan accordingly. Take into account everything you’d like to accomplish, whether it be shopping, cooking, gift wrapping, etc, and schedule them into your calendar. Then, treat these items like you would any other appointment – no changes.

The Power of No

While it’s tempting to say yes to every invitation you receive during the holidays, the word no can actually be extremely liberating. By picking and choosing the parties and events you wish to attend, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself more without feeling obliged to be there. There is no need to explain why you can’t be somewhere, a simple “I’m sorry I already have plans for that time” is more than enough. Whether your plan is to exercise, get some much needed rest or attend another function, you don’t have to feel obligated to take on more than you can.

Take a Moment for Yourself

No matter how overwhelming the holidays can get, whether you’ve been waiting in line for 45 minutes at a toy store or cleaning the house for two hours, it’s important to keep your mind and body calm. Take a bath, listen to your favorite music or simply close your eyes, take several deep breathes, and just image yourself in a beautiful place. By slowing down and taking a moment for yourself, you’ll be able to fend off feeling of stress, which will in turn better help you accomplish the tasks you have at hand.