Tips For How to Have a Stress-Free Holiday

One thing that always leads to stress is trying to cram too many tasks and activities into not enough time. Make a list of all the things that you want to do and then space them out evenly over the space of your holiday calendar. Try to keep everything to a manageable level, which will help keep the stress level low.

It’s always okay to turn down a party invitation or to limit your tasks if you start to feel stressed. Feel okay about making fewer Christmas cookies or putting out fewer holiday decorations. In the long run, it will be okay and cause you less stress.

Try to keep your surroundings calm and relaxing. It will help keep your stress levels lower. Blinking lights and musical decorations might be fun, but they don’t foster a good relaxing atmosphere. Instead try decorating with non-blinking white lights and some subtle, quiet decorations in soft colors.

We all have our opinions about things from sports, politics, the best time to eat Christmas dinner, and whether or not to attend Christmas Eve mass. Although it might be difficult from time to time, try to leave your controversial opinions at home and focus on the things you have in common with your family members. Your holidays will be more harmonious if you and your extended relatives aren’t arguing across the dinner table about the state of the government or who should have been in the college football playoffs.

Maintaining your healthy lifestyle habits is an important way to keep your stress levels down. Stress and your health go hand in hand. Too much stress can affect your health. And at the same time, declining health can lead to stress. Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat vitamin-rich food, and be compliant with your other health routines.

If you live with a vein condition, like varicose veins or poor blood circulation, be sure to wear your compression socks. If you wear a back brace, knee or leg brace, or an AFO or KAFO brace, be sure to wear your protective interface to prevent painful irritation. The last thing that you’ll want contributing to the holiday stress is pain and discomfort stemming from lack of treatment compliance.

Give yourself several moments to take a break—from the wrapping, from the baking, from the decorating, and even from the family gatherings. You need it.