DE-STRESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays are quickly approaching, which means extra stress for anyone. Whether you're juggling moving around from your parents' to your in-laws, shopping for your loved ones, wrapping gifts, cooking special holiday meals, entertaining, attending numerous holiday parties, or traveling around the country, the holidays can get extremely stressful. Read on to gather great tips on how to lead a stress-free life throughout the holiday season!

 

1) Buy your gifts throughout the year. If you see the perfect gift for your sister in February, buy it and stash it in the closet for December. Just don't forget about it come December.

2) Set limits with your extended family if you're feeling stressed about having to make 10 stops on Christmas day or Hanukkah. They might not like it at first, but they'll respect you for it in the end.

3) If you're hosting Thanksgiving, ask your guests to each bring a portion of the menu. Say, you cook the turkey, your mom brings the mashed potatoes, and so on. Leave cleanup for the guys!

4) Make a pact with your partner that you're either not going to buy each other gifts, or you're going to do a mutual gift like a night on the town, or a weekend getaway.

5) Skip the gift wrap. Choose reusable boxes and reusable ribbon rather than paper that's just going to get tossed into the fireplace. After gifts have been unwrapped, save the boxes and ribbons, and use them again next year. The bonus? You won't have to buy gift wrap the next year!

6) Don't feel like you have to go to every single holiday party you've been invited to. Or if you do want to go, say that you have a later engagement, and only stay for an hour.

7) Set limits with yourself. If you're the type who goes crazy with the decorations and the treat making, and if this has become more stress than fun over the years, re-evaluate your ritual and scale back. No one will notice but you.

8) Plan forced time for yourself. Book a spa pedicure a month in advance and bring your favorite book. Or, really treat yourself to a massage, or spend the day in a day spa! If your partner enjoys watching football, take advantage of the moment by curling up with a good book and some hot chocolate. Take a walk among the falling leaves and smell the fresh autumnal air.

9) Don't forget to exercise! Avoid the post-holidays blues by trying not to over-indulge, and keeping up an exercise routine to burn those extra calories. If you do over-indulge, just go a little bit longer on the treadmill the next day.

10) Enjoy the moment. The holidays are all about spending time with loved ones. Linger over a glass of wine by the fire, suggest a game of UNO, piece together a jigsaw puzzle, or something else to keep everyone in one room, and away from televisions or video games. It will make for even more of a memorable event.

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