5 tips for a stress-free holiday season

As we’re propelled towards the end of the year, stress can start to set in, especially when we consider everything we feel we need to do to get holiday-ready. We might be thinking about all the gifts we need to buy, the projects we need to finish up at work, and the logistics of travelling to visit family and friends. To help keep some of the stress at bay this holiday season, try a few of these insightful tips.

1. Get your food shopping done as early as possible

One thing that families find most stressful about Christmas and the holiday season is hosting more people than usual and having to cook for everyone. Food shopping can be hectic at the best of times but during the weeks before Christmas, it can be especially stressful as everyone has the same idea. 

If you can, try to shop before the Christmas rush sets in and freeze whatever you can. If you’re particularly busy and worried about finding time for the shop, sit down one evening and do it all online so it can be delivered straight to your door! 

Budgeting tip: As we all know, the cost of food is painfully high at the moment, so to cut costs you could host a potluck dinner instead, or ask friends and family to bring a salad, meat, or dessert.

2. Keep the kids entertained

When you’ve got a lot going on and you’ve got children running around, it can make things extra stressful. Find ways to keep the children entertained while you hit the supermarket or buy your Christmas gifts. 

If they’re a little older, you could drop them off at the cinema to watch a movie, or work out a schedule with friends of yours that also have children; you can look after their children one day while they shop, and vice versa.

3. Be mindful of your health
We all feel a bit depleted at the end of a long year, but if you start to feel tired more often than not, perhaps book in a visit to your doctor before things get really busy. You might benefit from blood tests or some supplements to ensure you’re in tip-top shape.

Your mental health is also affected during times of stress and it can be hard to notice anything amiss when your focus is on everything you need to do. If you can’t take time out to meditate or relax, try to remember your breathing. While you’re out and about, take a moment every now and then to shift your focus to breathing deeply in and out.

4. Prioritise physical activity
Although you’re probably already running around, it’s important to carve out dedicated time to be active for yourself. This doesn’t have to be an intense bout on the treadmill, it could be an evening walk in the park, or playing a friendly game of cricket with your friends.

Physical activity has been proven to improve mental health and boost our resilience when it comes to stress so the more you can prioritise some form of physical activity, the better you’ll be able to deal with the stress of the season.

5. Stick to your gift budget

This one pops up in plenty of lists about how to prepare for Christmas, but it’s not so easy to stick to–especially when prices are high and your children want the latest and greatest toys. 

It might be confronting, but take a look at your finances and put a budget in place to help you manage. The last thing you want is to be in debt for the year ahead over a few gifts that might be forgotten after just a couple of months. 

Budgeting tip: Get the family involved in a Secret Santa approach where each person buys one gift of a certain value for another family member that is randomly chosen. Or you could be even more creative and bake or make gifts for your family this year–a jar of homemade cookies can go a long way.

Preparing yourself as soon as possible so you’re mentally, physically, and financially ready for this Christmas season will do you a world of good!