With November upon us (seriously, how is it November already?), we can’t help but think about the holiday season. The holidays are often portrayed as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many people, they can also be one of the most stressful. Between family gatherings, financial strain, travel, and the pressure to make everything perfect, it’s easy to lose your sense of calm.
So, I thought this would be a good time to share a few tips for navigating holiday stress – not just to help others, but as a reminder for myself too! If you have any strategies that work for you, please share them in the comments. I’d love to hear your ideas!
Ways to Minimize Holiday Stress
Here are some practical tips as shared by the Mayo Clinic that can help minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays.
❄️Plan ahead – it’s inevitable that some commitments will end up on the same day. Make sure to plan on what you can attend. If you’re hosting the holidays, create a menu to help you stay organized and make grocery shopping easier.
❄️Say no – when it comes to holiday invitations and commitments, to help relieve some stress, it’s ok to say no to a few or to all of them.
❄️Plan spending – the holidays mean spending money. Make a budget and stick to it. Don’t buy gifts that you’ll be paying off for a long time.
❄️Create relaxing surroundings – turn on your favorite music, light some candles, or open the windows on a nice sunny day. These can all be happiness boosters.
❄️Maintain healthy habits – the holidays are famous for ruining healthy habits. A walk or short workout each morning can help your decision-making throughout the day. Eat healthy snacks like fresh fruit or vegetables throughout the season and to fill up before a dinner party or other event.
❄️Be realistic – you’re only one person, and you can only do so much. Be realistic with how much you can handle this season. Try sharing your to-do list with other family members. Forget about perfection and try to relax and enjoy the company surrounding you.
❄️Take a break – take a nap, go for a walk, read a book or watch a funny movie. Take time for yourself.
Be Mindful to Create Joy
💫Mindfulness means accepting things as they are, not as we think they should be.
💫If the holidays don’t look picture-perfect, that’s ok. As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to say yes to every party, gift exchange, or volunteer opportunity. Mindfulness is about knowing your limits.
💫Mindfulness invites you to be in the moment, even when the moment isn’t perfect. Things won’t always go right or as expected. Instead of reacting with frustration, take a breath and remind yourself that imperfection is part of being human.
💫The holidays don’t have to be about hustle, pressure, or exhaustion. When you slow down, breathe, and stay present, you open up space to experience joy.
For NCP Panel Members
The holiday season is upon us! Wherever you’re at with your holiday shopping, please remember to make your consumer voice heard by reporting your regular shopping trip purchases, as well as those you make for the holidays. We sincerely appreciate your consistent participation during the busy holiday season!
When you, and/or other household members, buy gifts during the holidays and throughout the year, you should scan them since you purchased them. When you and/or other household members, receive gifts, you should not scan those gifts since you did not buy them.
Stay calm and enjoy the holiday season!
Regards,
Taylor
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The Evolution of Black Friday
Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude, Food, and Family
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