7 Easy Ways to Conquer Holiday Stress -

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As if moms weren’t busy enough, the holidays can demand even more of our time and energy. The shopping, endless planning, and organizing all the things can add to an already stressful job. The good news is that there are ways to reduce holiday stress and really start enjoying the magic of this season.

Here is a look at how to reduce holiday stress:

Don’t blow the budget

Moms can find the holidays to be stressful, simply because they worry about how much everything is going to cost. Let’s face it. The holidays are an expensive time of year. Between gifts for extended family, white elephant office parties, and teacher gifts you might feel like all you do is shell out money during the holidays. And this is all on top of gifts for each other. But you don’t have to spend a fortune this holiday season.

Over-spending can cause stress, which can suck the joy out of the holiday season. Set a budget and stick to it. This is easier said than done, I know. Be realistic with the budget. If your kids are old enough to understand this might be a great time to explain budgets to them. Help them understand that they may not get everything on their Christmas wishlist. If they aren’t old enough to understand budgets, then they probably won’t care what gifts you get them anyway.

More Tips for Sticking to a Budget
Try a 5 gift Christmas
Exchange Experiences instead of Gifts
Draw names and do a family Secret Santa

Lower your expectations

Holiday stress is generated from having high expectations and wanting everything to be perfect. This can set you up for disappointment, as you go into overdrive trying to make sure that everything is perfect. If things don’t work out as planned, this can induce more stress. Remember that the holidays are about having good fun and spending time with loved ones. Don’t strive for perfection, and instead focus on fun.

Organization

Being organized and planning ahead can significantly reduce stress. Avoid taking on too much all at once. Spread out activities and tasks to allow time to complete each one. Schedule and prioritize without being too rigid. A relaxed attitude and a calm feeling can ensure that the holidays are enjoyable for all involved. Planning essential events and creating lists can help you to stay on track and reduce stress. Lists can also be useful for many activities that need to be completed, such as a gift list, card list, and a grocery list.

Make time to relax

With all the extra running around and a busy schedule, make sure you set aside some time to relax and enjoy the season. You need time to relax and recharge; otherwise, you will burn out. Exhaustion is one of the most significant factors of holiday stress, and feeling tired can make almost any situation seem more difficult. Allow the children time to let off steam, weather permitting, take them outdoors for some fresh air. Another way to relax is to sit down together and watch a festive family movie, as this provides some calm, quiet stress-free time.

Get the family involved

There is so much to do this time of year. It can be a strain to find time and energy to complete everything on your to-do list. However, to lighten the load and enjoy this time of year, get the family involved. Work together as a team and delegate tasks to each member of the family. Getting everyone involved brings the family together, which can make this time fun and memorable. Sharing responsibilities is a great way to reduce stress, as this can help to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and overworked.

Fun and excitement

The holidays are an immensely exciting time for children, and their energy levels may rocket. This is to be expected, as this is a fun family time. Embrace the moment, and join in with the fun. Let go of any worries and follow in their footsteps to enjoy the holidays. Channel this excitement and energy into fun holiday activities that can be enjoyed together. Keep the kids busy with fun crafts, as well as giving them extra responsibilities to burn off their energy, while the parents can preserve some of their precious energy.

Related: DIY Advent Calendar for Christmas

Healthy balance

While the holidays are about good food and fun, it is essential to keep your body running smoothly. You should definitely enjoy all that the holiday season has to offer you will want to balance it with healthy foods. Healthy snacks and meals can be tasty and enjoyed along with traditional holiday foods. Everything in moderation. Get the kids involved in the kitchen to prepare some homemade snacks and treat, which is a fun activity that provides tasty and healthy meals.

The holidays can be relaxed and fun for all involved. Pace yourself, and join in with the fun, instead of aiming for perfection, which only causes holiday stress. The holidays are about spending time with loved ones and enjoying the festivities. Any mishaps or imperfections can just create special memories. Relax and spread the responsibilities to get everyone involved. Keep the children busy with festive activities, and channel all that excitement and energy into fun activities. Enjoy the holidays, mama, you deserve it!!