With all the things to do during a busy winter holiday month, taking care of yourself is likely to fall to the bottom of the list.
Here are some tips for quick ways to get stuff done, take care of yourself, and to stay (relatively) calm!
1 – Plan ahead as much as possible by making lists. I find it’s helpful to keep your planner or a small notebook with you at all times (even at work) and add to your lists whenever you think of things you need to do. If your planner is not handy, send an email to yourself with something you need to add to your list.
It might sound even more stressful to see these long lists of things to do, but it actually calms you because you are taking “all the things” out of your head and getting them down on paper. Your brain doesn’t need to keep obsessing when tasks are written down.
By the way — keep those lists. I made a binder that I use just for Christmas planning and I stick those lists inside that binder once Christmas is past. Next year, when it’s time to start planning, I have those reminders handy.
2 – Pace yourself. Now that you have these massive lists on paper, you actually have to get some stuff done! But pace yourself. If it’s a day with after school meetings or evening events, you cannot possibly get as much done. But look at your lists and see what might be possible to do.
For example: maybe you can’t get to a store today to get certain gifts, but are there other gifts you could buy online?
3 – Ask for help, delegate, and take advantage of every service you can! Who can help do some of the shopping or wrapping or meal prep? Nobody says that you have to be the one to do all the stuff on your lists. Ask for some help! Use Amazon Prime, Shipt, Walmart grocery delivery — whatever is available in your area. No one says you need to be the one out fighting traffic and wading through crowds in the stores.
4 – Stay realistic about what you can accomplish. This is where that delegating part can come in handy. But it’s also okay to eliminate some tasks on your list when you see that it’s just not possible to get them done in the time you have available. No one can do everything!
5 – Speaking of staying realistic — if you are in charge of any kind of holiday meal or event, plan a simple menu. Not everything has to be homemade. Not every recipe needs to involve eighteen steps. Prepare as many make-ahead dishes as you can. Ask your guests to bring a side dish or dessert.
6 – Whenever you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, stop and take a deep breath. Just a few deep breaths will automatically calm you and help you to get some perspective on the situation.
7 – Treat yourself. Not by overindulging in sugar or junk food, but in something that makes you happy. Hot cocoa with extra marshmallows? A special coffee drink? Some quiet time alone? Buying a gift for yourself while you’re buying gifts for everyone else?!
8 – Get outside and take a walk. Especially when you’re feeling stressed. But taking a walk and getting some fresh air is always a good idea for getting some perspective and a break.
9 – Take a 20-minute nap or at least go to bed early. I know, I know — how are you going to get everything done if you don’t stay up late? Getting enough good sleep makes you more productive the next day. Just try it and see for yourself.
10 – Create some new traditions with your family that you will enjoy! How about reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve? Or planning a family board game night during the holidays? Going to a movie on Christmas night? Baking cookies after Christmas and delivering to neighbors or to a local shelter?
11 – Relax and just go with it. Nothing ever goes perfectly. Something will go wrong. Just make up your mind to find the joy and the humor in every situation. Stare at the tree. Go outside and take a deep breath. Close your eyes and say a prayer. It’s all going to be okay.
12 – Speaking of relaxing — maybe you’ll be spending the holiday with a relative who gets on your last nerve. This may be someone you would prefer to avoid in any other situation but you’re stuck with them because they’re “family”. Have a strategy for your time with them. Remind yourself that they are basically a young child with issues (as we all are to some extent) and they see the world differently from the way you do. Then, when they say something you don’t appreciate, change the subject or walk away from them. Don’t let them steal your joy!
I hope these tips give you some ideas for how you can relax, enjoy, and take care of YOU this holiday season!