As a child, I loved Christmas. I loved decorating the tree, and there was a cozy spot behind it that I could crawl and look at all the lights. I loved the cheeriness of the season, and getting to open my stocking on Christmas morning! It was magical.
Now that I’m an adult, I still love Christmas, but I’ve come to realize that the magic has to be made. And for the majority of adults already stressed to the max, one more “assignment” (to make Christmas magical) might not be the key to a relaxing holiday. Add family drama on top of the high expectations we may have for the day, and you have a recipe for one big tension headache.
While all the hullabaloo may have you ready to cancel Christmas entirely, that comes with its own stressors...and it's less fun! So what can you do to manage your stress level this Christmas, without being a total scrooge?
Note: These tips are assuming you’ve scored some days off and may be hosting company or spending time traveling to visit loved ones. For those of you working through the holidays, you’re the real MVPs that keep the world turning…either that or you’re the main character in yet another Hallmark movie featuring a “big city executive”, but I digress.
Alright, back to the tips!
1.Know what to expect
If you know the week between Christmas and New Years will be hectic, it might be a good idea to sit down with a printable calendar page (I like this one) and jot down all the events you’ve been invited to. Then think about (or if you’re married, discuss with your partner) which things you’d really like to make time for. Circle these. Put a star next to things you’d like to play by ear, and cross out things you choose to decline. Then RSVP for everything right then and there and write your commitments on your regular calendar. Knowing what you’ve committed to ahead of time and choosing which things are important to you helps reduce mental clutter, and thus your stress! Plus, then if an unexpected invite pops up, you’ll have a better idea of your availability.
2. Take 5+ minutes for quality alone time daily.
I don’t mean 5+ minutes scrolling. I mean 5+ minutes journalling, resting your eyes or having a straight up nap (no shame- do it!), praying, reading a book, or petting the cat…something intentional. If it’s hard to sneak away from your family, the bathroom is a great haven. Hide a book in there and have a few moments of peace, with the fan on to drown out the outside noise! Take it from an introvert, this works!
(If you have small kids that won’t leave you alone, even on the loo, try stashing a couple really interesting toys in the bathroom for them too- even if you’re not entirely alone, perhaps the two of you can be alone…together?)
3. Book a medical massage
You knew I couldn’t forget this one, didn’t you? Medical Massage Therapy is a great way to activate your body’s relaxation response, and reduce your stress response. If you usually come in for treatment of a specific issue (eg: a knee injury or chronic low back pain) but just want to relax this time, make sure to mention that to your Massage Therapist. That hour is your time, so they should be happy to accommodate you!
4. Spend time in nature
Set some time aside every day or two to take your kids to the park, go for a hike or walk near your home, or even just sit out on the deck for 5 minutes to start your day. Not only will you feel more relaxed, you’ll get an extra boost of Vitamin D!
5. Don’t neglect your normal exercise routine
I know it’s easy to skip the gym or cancel your weekly walk with the neighbor because your kids aren’t at school or you have company at your house. But healthy movement is a great de-stressor, thanks to the associated endorphins. As well, keeping some semblance of a routine can be incredibly grounding when everything else feels chaotic!
If you don’t have childcare, switch your activity to something the kids can come along for. For instance, you might find it hard to cart 3 littles to the gym at 5 am but you could pile them in the stroller and go for a walk later in the day…or do an exercise video in the living room while they’re still sleeping.
December can feel like an unending merry-go-round of holiday parties, church events, and family dinners. All of these things are great, but they can leave us feeling rushed and harried and not exactly in the Christmas spirit. Thankfully a little intentionality goes a long way towards managing and even lowering the stress that creeps up on us this time of year.
If you can’t find me this holiday season, I’ll be in the bathroom, leaned against the vanity with a good book in hand. I’ll be out soon. Merry Christmas!
Comments