10 tips to help with stress of Holiday shopping, planning
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Published:
Dec 5, 2024
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06:14 p.m.
ET
The holiday season may have been deemed the most wonderful time of the year, but it does not always feel that way. Christmas is filled with fun and family, but also involves a lot of planning, shopping, traveling and logistics. But with the right tips, it is possible to manage the hectic schedule that happens at the end of the year and maintain your mental health.
Tips and expert advice to help with holiday stress
1) Start by Making a Plan
December is by far one of the busiest months of the year, between parties, shopping, travel, sending out cards and navigating difficult dynamics in a lot of social situations. One of the best ways to avoid feeling overwhelmed is to come up with a plan before the holiday season hits. Decide what your top priorities are as you get into December and what tasks need immediate attention. Planning ahead will help the endless list of tasks feel more manageable.
2) Make a Budget and Stick to it
Between shopping for gifts, bringing food or drinks to parties or booking flights to see family, the holidays can be a huge financial burden for many of us. If you are aware of a potential cost well in advance of the holidays, budget ahead of time so the amount does not feel so overwhelming when it is time to follow through with a plan.
Decide early how much you want to spend on gifts for people, and even whittle down your list from coworkers and acquaintances to immediate family only. Even making homemade gifts can help you cut down on overall costs and still show people how much they mean to you.
3) Ask For Help with Tasks
It can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and all of the tasks to make the holidays magical are solely your responsibility. Asking for help and delegating tasks is a way to make your friends and family feel involved in the holiday spirit but also reduce your stress levels.
Try to share chores with your family if you are hosting this year's Christmas Party. Ask party goers to bring their favorite drink or dish to an event so all of the preparations aren’t on you. If possible financially, hire a cleaning company or outsource any tasks you can to make prepping for the holidays a shared burden.
4) Make Time For Self-Care
While giving gifts to others brings a lot of joy, you also deserve the gift of self-care and consideration. Make a conscious effort to carve out time for yourself between holiday plans. Ensuring that you have time to participate in hobbies or activities that bring you joy will help you have more capacity for the whirlwind of responsibilities during this time of year.
5) Take Care Of Your Physical Health
Our physical and mental health are directly connected and ensuring a healthy body during the holidays will help support a healthy mind. The goal of physical activity and movement is to keep your body energized and reduce the stress you may feel amidst all of your plans. Taking care of your physical health can include prioritizing sleep, getting thirty minutes of daily movement, eating balanced meals and staying hydrated.
6) Have Realistic Expectations
It can be easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough to make the holidays special for everyone in your life. Social media shows expertly decorated homes, elaborate dinner parties, piles of gifts and endless fun at glamorous events. While this may make you feel inadequate, this perception is often unrealistic for most people. Instead of trying to make every experience above and beyond, focus on one aspect of the season that brings you joy. Understanding that this time of year should focus on time with loved ones, rather than what you can show off on social media, will help reduce the overall pressure to overdo things.
7) Say No
Being invited to things is a compliment, but it is equally important to say no when an event or request does not align with what you want to spend your time doing. Prioritize what activities will fill your cup instead of making you feel drained. Decide what you will say no to and stay firm in your decision to step away from anything that does not serve you.
8) Practice Gratitude
Among the hustle of the holidays it can be easy to forget just how lucky we really are. Practicing gratitude is a proven way to reduce stress and create a more positive overall outlook.
9) Set Boundaries
Family dynamics can become stressful during gatherings and it is important to set boundaries that will protect your mental health. Communicate what your needs are to trusted people so they can help support you through this time. Ensure that you limit difficult topics or conversations that you know will cause additional stress. When all else fails, take a break from the family drama by stepping outside, calling a friend or leaving an event early.
10) Seek Out Professional Help
If you have tried all of the other options to quell your anxiety without success, it may be time to reach out to a professional who can help you manage your emotions. Asking for help does not stop with friends and family and there are licensed professionals who can help you learn tactics to stay calm and collected this holiday season.
Where to turn if the stress becomes too much
Help is available if you are finding the holidays to be unmanageable on your own. Individual therapy, support groups and peer support are all beneficial ways to alleviate stress and anxiety. If in-person treatment is not possible, virtual support may be a good fit for you. Birches Health has specialized remote therapy that you can start immediately for multiple types of mental health concerns and challenges.
To get started with Birches, you can:
Or you can simply call 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to get in touch with the Birches team now.
