Style
Faith
A stress-free holiday season is something that Westerners struggle to embrace, myself included. I’m not referring to the stress that comes from the loss of a loved one around this time, or divorce/co-parenting, or economic hardships. I’m speaking to those of us who make ourselves stressed. Some of us work in sales and marketing, and Q4 is our busiest time of year. Others of us have high expectations to make everything perfect at home. This season, I’m giving us a pass. We don’t have to get in our own way—we can focus on gratitude and the joy of the Lord. And, for lack of better terms, it’s time to stop and smell the roses that we’ve worked so hard to grow! Here are a few things I do for a stress-free holiday season:
I keep a running gifts list in my phone notes app. I update it throughout the year as family members mention things that could be gift ideas. For instance, my mom casually told me that her coffee grinders always break, so I added that to the list as a potential gift item for her this year. November 1st, I refer to my gifts list for ideas and it’s much easier than starting from scratch. I can safely assume that the person will like it, and it prevents me from purchasing the same thing for someone multiple years in a row.
When hosting a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, I prep, cook, and set the table days leading up to the event. Once the holiday arrives, I wake up, get dressed, warm the food, and freshen up the house for guests.
I eat one healthy food item each day and take my vitamins. We all know—and love—the sweet and salty treats that come with the holiday season. However, it doesn’t always refresh our bodies and minds like a healthy snack does. No one feels their best without healthy food. Avoid moodiness, bloating, and brain fog that excessive amounts of sugar brings and grab a healthy meal (or snack) every day. Think 80% protein and 20% pie.
Do something enjoyable. Stop fretting, and overspending, and binge-watching. Read a book, play a board game, or just lower those expectations. If I’m traveling, I prepare to do something enjoyable by taking that puzzle or kindle with me. We all need personal time and space to recharge, and setting boundaries in this way is perfectly acceptable.
Keep up my routine, kind-of. If I’m staying the night somewhere for several days, I treat it like a vacation with no routine. When that freedom starts to wear off, and I’m ready for the discipline of a routine, I try establishing it while on holiday. If you like to run in the mornings while at home, go for a run while staying at your cousin’s house. Read your Bible with tea in the evening if that’s your thing. The familiarity of our routines within a new environment might be refreshing.
Set boundaries around tech, specifically social media. Doom scrolling is not a stress-free holiday tip. It’s a time-suck. Focus on connecting with your partner, friends, or family in real life. Delete the app from your phone if you have to. I often put my phone on loud (so I can hear a work call) and stick it in a drawer out of sight. This helps me stay present and focused on the task at hand, even if that task will be drinking hot cocoa by the fire.
A stress-free holiday season comes from a deep sense of gratitude for the people in our lives and the things we already own. Ultimately, peace comes from believing and accepting God as the only savior. His spirit is like gravity. We can’t see it, but we can feel it and we can see its impact in our lives.
