Last Updated on December 19, 2020 by Ellen Christian
Are there ways to avoid stress at Christmas? Definitely! While Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, it can be super stressful as well. I’m trying to prepare ahead this year so that I’m more organized.
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10 Ways to Avoid Stress at Christmas
Being prepared will give me more time to spend with family and enjoy myself. Now that the kids are grown and in their own homes, I host Christmas at our home and everyone comes here.
While I love having them here, eight people in one tiny home during the holidays can be stressful. But, even with a hectic schedule, it’s possible to avoid stress at Christmas.
How can I stop stressing at Christmas?
Everyone worries and gets stressed out over different things at Christmas. I tend to worry about last-minute things that still need to be done or things that I have forgotten to do.
I make all of these lists and have great intentions, but there always seem to be things that I’ve missed. I’ve realized that it’s important to be realistic about what I can accomplish. Don’t overschedule or over commit.
What causes holiday stress?
There are a lot of different things that cause holiday stress. If you want to avoid stress at Christmas consider lowering your expectations, sticking to your budget, getting enough rest, and being realistic. Forgive yourself for not being perfect.
Christmas tips to avoid stress
- Make a list and keep it with you.
- Prepare a budget and stick to it.
- Be realistic.
- Don’t wait until the last minute.
- Take the time to enjoy the holiday.
- Practice self-care.
- Keep it simple.
- Use relaxation techniques to remain calm.
Make a list and keep it with you. I make a lot of lists, but then I forget them at home. Make a list of important dates, baking to be done, gifts to buy, and projects to be finished.
Update the lists regularly when things are completed or when you add new tasks. Refer to your list regularly. I find it’s easiest to keep it stored on my phone. That way it’s always with me.
Prepare a budget ahead of time and stick to it. Keep track of your expenses. Five dollars here and there really does add up.
One of the biggest stresses over the holidays is related to finances. It’s easy to forget what you’ve ordered when you shop online until the packages start arriving.
Be realistic. You are not superwoman. You have only so many hours in the day. Don’t expect everything to be perfect. Do your best and focus on enjoying the season. One of the best ways to avoid stress at Christmas is to stop expecting so much of yourself.
Don’t wait until the last minute. You’ll have much less stress (and more selection) if you start your shopping now. Don’t spend the last two days before Christmas driving from store to store looking for that one item that’s sold out.
Tips for low-stress holidays
Yes, it’s possible to avoid stress at Christmas. But, it requires a change in how you think and what you expect. You will need to learn to let go of some of your expectations. And, you’ll need to slow down and learn to find joy in simpler things.
Take time to enjoy the moments. Enjoy the special moments with friends and family. Bake cookies. Go ice skating or sledding in the back yard. Build a snowman. Why not make this cute snowman stress ball to help manage stress? Relaxing is a great way to avoid stress at Christmas or at any time.
You may want to try these Christmas essential oils.
Care for yourself. Take time to care for yourself. Get enough sleep and eat properly. De-stress at the end of the day with a cup of chamomile tea, your favorite music, and some lavender essential oils.
Keep it simple. Keep Christmas dinner simple. Delegate when possible. Ask friends or family to bring a dish or two. If possible, have the meal catered. Or, have a buffet-style dinner.
Relaxation techniques. Remember to use your relaxation techniques regularly. Whether that includes deep breathing, yoga or meditation, when you find yourself getting stressed, take a moment to relax.
If you’re hoping to find ways to avoid stress at Christmas, the most important thing to remember is to slow down, re-evaluate what you need to do, and don’t over-commit. Once you have more time in your day to focus on what you decide is most important, you’ll probably find that your stress level is much lower.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
