The holidays are right around the corner so ready or not, here they come! This is also the time of year when important school exams, final papers, and projects need your attention. How do you juggle these assignments and holiday obligations and expectations during a time that is meant for home, family, and celebration?
Below find practical tips to help minimize the stress and enjoy the holidays:
In previous newsletters we have mentioned the importance of keeping yourself organized by using a planner for time management and organization. Now is the time to put that tool to use. Write in your due dates, appointments, and upcoming holiday and family events that you want to attend. Consider color coding the events so you have a clear idea of how much time you are spending on different activities. This could prevent you from setting unreasonable expectations that could lead to stress, frustration, and disappointment.
Make sure to schedule time for yourself to allow for rest and activities that relax you, like working out at the gym, hiking in the woods, or listening to music. Watching a funny movie is great too, as laughing relaxes the entire body, and relieves physical tension and stress.
Plan your spending by setting a gift-giving budget for yourself, and if you’re using a credit card, do so judiciously. You don’t want to buy gifts that you’ll be paying off for months to come.
Remember to give yourself permission to say no to invitations and holiday activities in order to preserve time for yourself and precious down-time. Spreading yourself too thin will prevent you from fully enjoying the holiday season.
Maintain healthy habits and watch out for those special holiday treats. A little indulgence is a treat, but make sure to include fresh fruits and veggies throughout the season too.
Remember, to more fully enjoy a healthy and happy holiday season, prioritize self-care, manage your sleep schedule, eat well, exercise and set boundaries! Happy Holidays!
