by Krymzen Hall

Created on: December 11, 2011   Last Updated: December 20, 2011

The holiday season brings joy; but it also causes stress in equal measure.  Learning to manage the activities accompanying this time of year is much like learning to pace yourself to better run a marathon.  There are distances, obstacles, and the occasional hills.  Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Secret Santa, ham or turkey, maybe both, none at all, office parties, extended family.  All these elements come together and then create an irrational need for perfection.  But it doesn’t have to be this way.  It is possible to de-stress during the holidays.  How?  Pause then pace. 

One of the major causes of stress is having unlrealistic expectations.  This is a season of love and peace, not materialism and show.  In realizing this, the first step to de-stressing during the holidays is to realize that some of the stress is, quite simply, self-inflicted.  Right now you have a million things swirling inside your head.  You’re frustrated.  Nobody can agree on the menu.  You still have to find the red sweater you swore would look good on your cousin.  Stop.  Put down everything.  Walk away for a day.  Meditate. When you come back to your preparations, the stress won't seem so bad. 

Next, (before anybody), do something for you.  Forgive yourself in advance for not being able to please everybody.  If you work, take a day off (yes you can).  Not a shopping day for somebody else, but a day for you.  Spend it alone; soon enough, you’ll be surrounded by many people and you’ll be grateful for the perspective and peace you gave yourself. 

Then get back to it.  Buy your groceries online; then for a small fee, have the food delivered to your door.  This will be one less errand.  Also, there is nothing wrong in asking for help.  Take some of the load off of you (it's equally alright to tell people "no" when you're already overloaded).       

Whatever gifts you still need to buy, stop searching.  Get gift cards.  Too impersonal?  No.  Here’s a hint: whenever you have to rack your brain to find the perfect gift, there isn’t one.  More sentimental value comes from a thoughtful card

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