Holiday Stress Got You Down? Snap Out of It!

Today marks one week until Christmas--how did that happen so quickly?  If I'm asking that question, I'm sure you are, too.  Truth be told, rather than enjoying the holiday season, most people are frazzled and overwhelmed...too stressed out to really enjoy the true meaning of the season.  Here are a few tips to help keep this time of year in perspective and enjoy the company of the people you love the most!

1.  STOP, DROP and BREATHE:  If you are feeling like you are going to have a stroke because you have too much to do with too little time, just stop!  Sit down and focus on the experiences that mean most to you over the holiday.  Breath deeply and focus on the positive.  You don't have to do it all!  Rethink you holiday traditions and decide to make the most of what resources you do have...the love and companionship of family and friends.  A gathering with cheese and crackers is no different than one with prime rib when you have the right people sitting at your table.  Take some pressure off of yourself...you deserve it!

2.  JUST SAY NO:  Don't overcommit yourself this holiday season.  Decide right now how you are going to spend Christmas weekend and make sure to carve in some quality time for your immediate family.  If you are frazzled, they are frazzled.  And that is not really a holiday, right?  Sit down as a family and make a schedule that you can all look forward to.  Ease your guilt by scheduling visits after the holiday has passed.  Then get on the horn and do it!

3.  CHOOSE LIFE:  In the grand scheme of things, holiday planning is not a matter of life and death.  Focus on what you can do to make the holiday brighter and more memorable rather than the need to please everyone and keep up with the Joneses.  Give yourself permission not to be perfect and design a holiday with traditions that you will look forward to and put the joy back into holiday celebrations. 

What are your holiday survival tips?  I would love to hear your ideas...please share your comments below!

Photo Credit :  thesecretlanguageoffeelings.com