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Finding the Best Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress
The holiday season can be a joyous time, but it can also be overwhelming. From finding the perfect gifts to planning and hosting get-togethers, there are many tasks that can cause stress. However, it’s possible to reduce holiday stress and increase gratitude by following a few simple tips.
First, consider which traditions you want to keep and which ones can be dropped. “Sometimes we have to make really tough decisions due to the limited supply of time, energy (and) money that we might have available,” said Dr. Suzanne Degges-White, a licensed counselor and professor.
Another way to reduce holiday stress is to focus on what matters most. “Come up with five things you enjoy most, prioritize those things, and don’t feel that you have to do bigger and better than the year before,” said Degges-White. “Because the harder we try to recreate these extravagant things, the less meaning that moment has in time.”
It’s also important to ask others what’s important to them about the holiday season. “People put a lot of pressure on themselves (and feel like) they’ve got to do everything,” said Dr. Lisa Firestone, a clinical psychologist. “But the reality is that people feel more included if you let them do things, too, and let them contribute.”
Additionally, it’s important to let go of the need for perfection. “The reality is that you can have a lot more enjoyment in life if you can take some of that pressure off and not be so focused on things having to be picture-perfect,” said Firestone.
Finally, practicing gratitude can help reduce holiday stress. “The more one practices gratitude, the more it can shift your habit of thought and get you to pay more attention to the goodness in life, rather than questioning whether you’re good enough,” said Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, science director of the Greater Good Science Center.
By following these tips, you can reduce holiday stress and increase gratitude. Remember to prioritize what matters most, ask others what’s important to them, let go of the need for perfection, and practice gratitude. With these strategies, you can have a more joyful and relaxing holiday season.