How to Have a Stress-Free Christmas That’s Truly Merry

Everyone has some stress in his or her life. Some days, that stress can balloon up until it feels like you’re staggering beneath the weight. Holidays have always been a major cause of anxiety but you can finally learn how to have a stress-free Christmas.

Holiday stress comes from many different directions. It comes from wanting to travel to see extended family and having to do the million and one things to get ready for a trip – washing clothes, packing the suitcases, and finding someone to care for pets. Then there’s the shopping for gifts, food preparations, and late night holiday to-do tasks that never seem to end. Sound like you’ve been there before?

Christmas doesn’t have to be a hectic, stressful holiday. If it has been for you in years past, then it’s time to make some changes, and stop the stress before it has a chance to start this year.

Not only is stress not good for your health, but it’s also not good for others who deal with stressed out people! The holidays are meant to be slowly enjoyed, not rushed through trying to pack as much as we can into every moment and get everything just right. The meaning of Christmas has disappeared beneath an onslaught of activities and gift buying. It’s time to fix that.

Here are some tangible steps you can take to reduce your stress loan:

• Narrow your focus. We take on too many responsibilities and then feel overwhelmed (and stressed and sometimes short tempered) at all we have to accomplish within a given time limit.
• Spend your time wisely. Allot your time and energy on what matters to you and your family and let go of the things that don’t. There’s no such thing as a perfect holiday. If your family doesn’t care if you make every party you’re invited to, then don’t go.
• Learn to delegate chores. You can’t clean an entire home alone for the arrival of company if you’re trying to get all of the cooking and baking done, too. Enlist family members to help and if they can’t, splurge on a maid service to do the holiday cleaning for you. Make it a gift you give yourself to help you maintain a stress-free Christmas.
• Get organized. You need a master checklist. Knowing what you need to get done will help keep your focus. Keep all of your Christmas supplies organized and together – the tape, scissors, name tags, and gift-wrap. You’ll save time if you don’t have to constantly search for what you need. Eliminate any last minute running around for forgotten items at the store by making a list.

Throughout the year, finances can be a major cause of stress but that stress can grow during the holidays due to overspending. People don’t overspend at Christmas because they’re bad or unreasonable. They overspend because they want to give. However, when the holiday is over and those bills roll in, it can take a toll. Budgeting plays a key role here. Make a list of who you’re going to give to and how much you’d like to spend approximately. Tally your results and subtract people or lower price amounts to suit what you can actually afford. If there truly isn’t enough present money to spread to your large extended family, look into homemade gifts such as Christmas cookies and deserts, arts and crafts, or services you can preform or time you can give.

Just as importantly as sticking to a budget is sticking to a time limit. It’s no fun rushing around, trying to cram months worth of visiting loved ones into a few days. Know ahead of time who you’ll visit, on what day and what time you should leave. Making a list takes some of the spontaneity out of it, but it also helps you enjoy a stress-free Christmas too!