Have A Happy - Not Stressed - Holiday Season!

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December can be “the most wonderful time of the year,” as the classic song says, but it’s also the most hectic. We eagerly anticipate spending time with family and friends. We look forward to celebrations, but first there’s the shopping to get through. And the thought of hosting the Christmas dinner can be overwhelming. No wonder we feel stressed.

Here are a few of my favorite stress management tips to help you simplify and stay sane during the holidays, giving THANKS (even after Thanksgiving) instead of throwing in the towel!

Take time for yourself. Women are notorious for becoming overworked and overstressed at their own expense. Be sure to schedule some “me time” during this holiday season to rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. Get some fresh air, take a walk or a nap, and unplug from all the frantic noise and activity. You’ll be able to serve others better when you’re feeling nourished and energized instead of depleted and exhausted.

Have some fun! Put on some music, dance around the house, and have a good time while you are cleaning, decorating and cooking. Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline), and increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins. Laughter increases vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood, and can even lower blood pressure. Studies have even shown that it can increase memory and learning!

Accept imperfect. If you are like me, you put higher expectations on yourself than others do. Don’t stress over making your decorations look like Martha Stewart’s, or your pies like Julia Child’s. Perfect is the enemy of great, and becoming obsessed with perfection causes you to miss out on so many really good things about life. If your casserole isn’t just perfect, will anyone remember a year from now? Laugh about your mistakes (see above!) and acknowledge them as minor bumps in your amazing life journey.

Nibble on a few indulgences, fill up on smart foods. You don’t need me to tell you how to eat a healthy meal—we all know the pitfalls of piling on the carbs and fatty foods during the holidays. So eat wisely, chew slowly, and allow yourself a few indulgences. Obsessing over calories will just add stress to your day, and could make others uncomfortable as they fill their own plates. Eat your protein and veggies, then reward yourself with a few bites of your favorite treats. You’re worth it!

Keep it simple. Trying to do too much will set you up for failure. Plan simple meals and simple events for your own stress-management. Ask for help, letting others contribute to a potluck meal—they really do want to participate in the fun! Or get really bold and order all or some of your dinner from a local deli or restaurant. Assign tasks to all your guests, even the children, to make them feel needed. People are coming to see YOU, not your home or dinner table, so strive for simplicity for more joy in your day.

Stay grateful. We all have so much to be thankful for.  I love this quote by Albert Einstein: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” From having food on your table and clean water to drink, to the immense freedoms we have because of the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, we should express gratitude every day we are alive. Develop an “attitude of gratitude” and express thanks to those who have made a difference in your life. It will be like a gift tied with a beautiful bow!

Susan Tolles is a Certified Christian Life Purpose Coach. To read more about her work, visit http://theflourishinglife.today/.