Protect Your Health from Holiday Stress

"I don't want to wear that costume." "Let me check that candy before you eat it." "When am I going to find the time to make all this food?" "Where are we going to come up with the extra money for gifts this year?" The stress of the holidays is upon us. With stress comes lower immunity and higher susceptibility to sickness. In addition, stress affects our mood and can tarnish the joy of the holidays. Here are some tips to make your holidays less stressful, thus keeping you and your family healthier.

Be More Mindful and Plan Accordingly

My husband laughs at my mom and me because we start planning early for the holidays. As funny as it seems to him, it works for us. Waiting until the last minute causes undue stress. If you're organized and start planning early, there is more time to relax and actually enjoy the holidays. Start making your list of holiday tasks now and make small strides every week toward completing those tasks. Last year I relaxed the whole month of December. In the end, my husband appreciates my early planning.

Simplify

Who says the holidays have to be an extravagant event? You can say no to a lot of things to make the holidays simpler. Buy fewer gifts. Make less food. Decrease your holiday social engagements. Cut back on decorating. Go out for holiday dinners. Every other Thanksgiving, my family goes out for dinner at a nice restaurant in St. Louis. If the complications of holidays leave you feeling irritable, consider doing things differently. Center your holidays on enjoying family relationships and friendships.

Let Go of Perfection

So many of us want everything for the holidays to be perfect. We want to create memories for our children that last a lifetime. Memories are wonderful, but it's your love that people will remember. Very few will notice the perfect meal you prepared. Those perfectly wrapped gifts will be ripped open in a moment. You don't have to make homemade costumes, take the perfect picture, or remember everyone on your Christmas card list. Relax and enjoy the moment.

Be Wary of Unnecessary People Pleasing

As moms, we often want to make sure everyone around us is happy. We are pulled in all different directions by family and friends expectations, in addition to our own internal expectations. It can become very difficult to please everyone and still take care of ourselves. Remember self-care is very important during stressful times, so it might mean you have to say no to certain people. Concentrate on what's best for you and your immediate family and politely disengage from expectations that cause stress.

Nix the Wonder Woman Costume

The holidays (or any time) are not the time to be super mom, and take on the world. Get rid of the attitude that you have to do everything yourself. This attitude will only cause resentment and interfere with the joy that is possible during the holidays. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Hire a housecleaner for holiday cleaning. Have a potluck Thanksgiving dinner. Let someone else wrap the gifts. If you can't get the help you need, then commit to only what you can without causing stress.

This holiday season, take time to protect your health by exercising, eating properly, getting plenty of rest, and eliminating the added stress of holidays.


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