From Holiday Stressed to Holiday Best By: Valerie Tunks, Certified Coach

The Thanksgiving turkey hasn’t even been carved and Jingle Bells is already playing.  It seems each year the holidays creep up more quickly, making the holiday stress many of us feel start earlier as well. A recent holiday stress poll by the American Psychological Association showed that more than eight out of 10 Americans anticipate stress during the during the holiday season.

What could be a season of joy marked by celebrations, delicious food and spending time with loved ones is often the start of a season dreading crowded malls, feeling anxious about spending time with certain relatives and being worried about finding the perfect gift.  If visions of sugar plums dancing in your head have you tossing and turning at night instead of giving you a child-like excitement for the holidays, here are some helpful tips to make the holiday season less stressful and more enjoyable.  Perhaps next time you hear Jingle Bells you’ll sing along instead of feeling holiday anxiety.

Tips on Enjoying the Holiday Season

1. Lower Your Expectations. Take some of the pressure off by remembering that there is no such thing as perfect.  A burnt Turkey or broken strand of lights won’t ruin your holiday.  Don’t romanticize the holidays or try to recreate holidays from years past – focus on making new memories instead.

2. Make a list (and check it twice). Write everything down that needs to get done.  Break larger tasks down into smaller items so it isn’t so overwhelming.  Once the list is complete, give yourself deadlines to complete each task and put it on your calendar.  After you accomplish a task, check it off your list.  You’ll be amazed at how great it feels to check things off!  

3. Minimize interactions with unhealthy people. Don’t feel as if you have to accept every invitation and invite every friend, family member or co-worker to holiday events you are planning. There is nothing wrong 
with minimizing or eliminating interactions with unhealthy or unhelpful people. 

4. Breathing and Other Techniques. If spending time with certain relatives or co-workers makes your head want to spin like a dreidel, practice breathing.  Instead of losing your cool, take a few deep breaths and do your best to relax.  If controlled breathing does not work for you, there are a variety of other stress-reducing techniques that are helpful during the holidays. About.com offers a list that includes conducting “social reconnaissance” before attending parties or gatherings, volunteering to manage loneliness and avoiding the use of alcohol for “liquid courage” to manage stress and anxiety. 

5. Wrap gifts as you purchase them.  Instead of saving your wrapping for the night before, wrap your gifts when you get home from your shopping trips.  This will save you time and anxiety.

6. Enlist the help of friends and family.  Don’t take on an entire holiday meal by yourself; ask your guests to each bring a dish that makes it feel like Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukah/Kwanza to them.

7.  Start your shopping early in the season.  Not only does this spread out the cost of your gifts, but it keeps you from scrambling for purchases at the last minute.  No need to fight the crowds or worry about shipping deadlines.

8. Make some time for you. Set some time aside to relax. Consider this your gift to yourself!

Valerie Tunks is a nationally certified counselor and life coach at Family Therapy Center of Northern Virginia, llc. 
Valerie can be reached through the Family Therapy Center's Meet the Team Page