The holidays can be tricky - it’s stressful for many of us (myself included) and it truly doesn’t have to be! Yes, we’ll always have things we need to do and places we need to be, but a few tweaks can make everything much more manageable.

So how do we reclaim control and decrease stress during the holidays to ensure we get the rest we all deserve? Below are my go-to tips for actually enjoying ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’

Don’t try to do it all (aka Keeping up with the Jonses).

All the parties, events, and activities you want to do are great but know your limits. Don’t overplan or overcommit yourself to too many activities. You’ll regret it at the end when you feel your holidays flew by and you still don’t feel like you had any time to rest. 

In terms of kids, I’m not a mama, but our Head of Events, Jocelyn Davison, is. Jocelyn’s wise words: don’t worry so much about the mom who does all the Christmas crafts with her kids or brings cookies for the whole class. There’s no need to stress ourselves out over it when there are more important things in life. Have to bring a dessert? Go buy something! Voila!

Remember what matters

When it comes to gifts, Sheldon and I have a very specific and shortlist of people we buy for and even set limits for spending on each other. There’s no need for us to overdo it during a time that can already be financially stressful.

Are there certain people in your family who want to buy gifts for everyone? Set boundaries in advance, or better yet, do a simple gift exchange. This is something we started with both our families. It allows us all to keep costs low and no one feels the need to buy something for everyone. We use drawnames.com for our exchanges where you can create wishlists, limits and more!

Continue taking time for your wellness

Don’t completely book yourself up and forgetting to take time to relax and enjoy the season. Although I don’t keep up with my regular 5 AM routine during the holidays, I do continue taking time to move my body, journal, and meditate. This allows me to be present with family and show up fully ready for catching up with family and friends.

Put your phone away

If there’s an affirmation I repeat to myself during the holiday season it’s, “be present, be here.” As mentioned, continuing my wellness regime allows me to do this, but so does getting off my phone and having conversations with people I don’t see often. Find it hard to stay off your phone? Out of sight out of mind works wonders. Leave it in your purse, or set it in a separate room. 

Make a schedule or to-do list of priorities

I have a list I maintain in December that is just focused on the holidays. I know what events we’re attending, who I have to buy gifts for, and what else I need to do. No, I’m not going to get it all done in one day. Yes, keeping this list updated allows me to stay focused and calm despite the chaos around me. 

What about you? Are there any tips you have for reducing stress during the holidays? We’d love to hear!

Post submission: Jamie Bay | The Wellness Warrior
@thewellnesswarrior_
The Warrior Collection (10% of all proceeds sold from the Warrior Collection will go directly to support Momentum Walk-In Counselling, a mental health non-profit triage in Edmonton).