Christmas is almost here! It’s the most wonderful time of the year like Frank Sinatra says. The Christmas tree, the lights, the songs, the food, and the family all together put us in such a festive and happier mood. However, Christmas can also be a stressful holiday. Finding the perfect gifts, spending money, cooking, coordinating family members to be on the same page… It’s a busy season. Not to mention the excessive food and alcohol that might make us feel heavy and crabby. Because some people feel anxious and stressed during this time, we have created a list of useful tips to make it as stress-free as possible.
How to have a stress-free Christmas
Plan ahead. There’s nothing worse than procrastinating and leaving everything for the last minute. This Christmas, make your to-do list in early December and plan ahead for your holidays. Include categories like gifts, menu, decoration, and Christmas cards. This way you will be able to disconnect the days around this holiday and really be present with family and friends.
Stick to your budget. Money is the number 1 cause of stress in families during this season. Your outgoing finances will increase immensely because we have to think about gifts, food, travel, among others. Making a financial plan with a budget for Christmas might help and give you peace of mind while shopping. Don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for food and travel.
Natural Supplements. Some natural supplements might be good mental support during this holiday. Chamomile, Ashwagandha, passionflower, and CBD are all great additions to your shopping list this year. CBD has shown to reduce stress and anxiety, according to recent studies. Besides, it is high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Accept that things can and will go wrong. This is 100% true, not only during Christmas but on any occasion. Dinner guests arriving late, unavailable ingredients, receiving a gift that you do not particularly like, sold-out present items… These situations can increase your stress levels and trigger anxiety. The trick here is to embrace it and adapt. If the gift you wanted to get for your sister is sold out, think of something else she might like; if you can’t find the ingredient for that one recipe you really wanted to make, look for substitutes.
Get some light exercise in there. If you are an active person, try to stay as close as you can to your regular exercising. Some people might feel anxious if they get completely out of their routine. If you’re not a very active person, it might be a good time to start moving your body. Pick something you think you will like, it can be 15 mins walk, dancing, yoga, hiking, there are many ways to exercise and not necessarily go to the gym. Keeping your body active has shown to reduce stress levels and help regulate hormones. Keeping your mind focused on physical activity will drastically uplift your psyche.
Monitor what you eat, but don’t stress out about dieting. Waking up the next morning after Christmas and feeling sick or regretting everything you ate and drank it’s not a great post-Christmas feeling. A healthy approach to overeating during this holiday is simple, eat everything in moderation. You will feel physically and mentally better.
Enjoy. It’s as simple as that. Enjoy the day, the season, and the celebration. Instead of thinking about the wrong things, why not think of ways you can enjoy it. This season is not just for the little ones, it’s for all of us.
All information contained in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a physician or a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding your health and well-being.