5 Ways To Crush Holiday Stress
The countdown is on darlings! We've got less than a week to Christmas and that means the pressure is on. Presents to wrap (or maybe shop for still?!), weekend parties to plan for, cards to send, decorating to do? The list is endless around the holidays, making for added stress we could all do without. The solution? Avoid the grinch-y feels with these five tips from life coach Yana German featuring imagery from one of our favorite past shoots by Perry Vaile. #5 is my favorite, and such a simple way to spread cheer!
ONE. Limit places you go: Holiday parties are fun and can be a great way to sit down or have fun with your friends and co-workers. Holiday parties can also become very stressful if you try to go to every single one of them. “It’s not about trying to figure which party or friend is more important. It’s about having a clear intention of what you’d like to experience at each one of those parties,” says German. “Take a few minutes and try to visualize those parties: do you want to have a wild night, or do you prefer a calm dinner? Would you like to dress up, or go to a more casual party? Would you like to go and meet your partner’s co-workers, or would you rather have a dinner party at home with your close friends?” explains German.
TWO. Create your own traditions instead of following someone else’s: One of the biggest battles couples have during the holiday season is choosing whose parents they will celebrate with. “A lot of my clients struggle to navigate this tricky situation,” says German. There is a lot of pressure to follow the old traditions and make everyone happy. “When I first moved to the US, my family and I were struggling to follow all the new traditions. The same thing happened when I got married,” says Yana. “You have to create your own traditions instead of trying to copy someone else’s. Every family is different, everyone’s values are different so you have to be able to do what works for you, and not for you neighbour or co-worker.”
THREE. Slow down. There are so many things happening during the holiday season... sending out holiday cards, decorating the Christmas tree and buying gifts—just to name a few. But how often do we actually sit down and enjoy our beautifully lit Christmas tree? How often do we slow down to have hot chocolate by the fireplace? “We are so busy trying to check off all of the things on our to-do lists that we forget to actually enjoy them,” says German. “Give yourself at least a 30 minute break to recharge. I love doing breathing exercises while looking outside the window at the horizon. It helps you become more connected and aware,” says German.
FOUR. Stop being perfect: Who doesn’t love checking out Pinterest for some great table decor ideas or dishes? “When we’re hosting a Holiday get-together we often feel the urge to satisfy everyone’s needs, whether it’s a dietary restriction or simply a taste preference. We become so tense making sure everyone is happy that we that we are faced with anxiety ourselves,” says German. “Take a minute and evaluate whether the perfect decorations are worth more than the time you would spend enjoying your friends and family.”
FIVE. Share compliments with your loved ones: We spend so much time trying to find the perfect gifts for our family and friends, yet we still manage to get annoyed with them during the holidays. “You spend hours trying to find the perfect gift for your mom and it only takes a second for you to get mad at her for insisting to eat more of her pie,” says German. “Show your loved ones how grateful you are. Happiness is infectious and more much more important than the gifts.”
Tips: Yana German
