How to Reduce Stress during the Holidays

As unbelievable as it seems, tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  After Turkey Day is over, between shopping, parties, cooking and planning, the rest of the year seems to go by in about twelve minutes, leaving most of us feeling a little worse for the wear.

What can you do to avoid, or at least minimize, stress this Holiday Season?

1. Parties – Holiday Parties can be a lot of fun!  They give you the chance to catch up with people you don’t always see throughout the year, and dressing up can be fun, too.  Sometimes, our list of parties we’re supposed to attend gets a little too long, and parties stop feeling like well, parties, and start seeming more like work and just another obligation to check off our list.

Don’t feel as though you have to attend every single party and event you’re invited to. Pick and choose the ones you really want to go, and make plans to attend them.  Believe me – nobody expects every single person they invite to a party to be able to make it. (just be sure to send in your “Will Not Attend” RSVP….nobody likes to chase an invited guest down to see if they’re coming)

2. Eating – It seems as though delicious, fattening food is everywhere during the holiday season, which makes it tempting to overeat every day from the end of November straight through to New Years Day.  However, eating too much sugary, salty and fat-laden food every day for over a month will not only wreak havoc on the size of your butt, it also leaves you feeling less energized and guilt-ridden, especially once the holidays are over.

Remember you don’t have to eat everything you see that looks good at every event. Great food will exist after the holidays – you don’t have to get it all in now. You try not to impulse shop to keep your bank account in check, and using the same thought process towards food works, too.  Pick one incredibly rich looking food at a party you think looks really good, and treat yourself to that in a reasonable amount.

As far as the holiday dinners themselves, my feeling is it’s okay to indulge a bit more on these special days, as they’re very few and far between.  The big difference is whether you eat a lot on Thanksgiving and still keep overeating every day after that, or get your eating back on track the day after you consume a bit more than usual.

Cameron over at Conquer the Monkey has a great article on eating during the Holidays – be sure and check it out!

3. Health – Even though you may be running around buying presents, going to dinners, work events and parties, you need to make time for yourself.  Don’t forget to still get enough sleep so you’re rested and not left completely miserable and exhausted. Also be sure to create time to stick to a regular workout schedule.  You may not have time for your normal workout, but even doing half what you’d usually do is better than nothing (don’t make the mistake of thinking if you can’t do your entire workout it’s a waste).

Also, remember to drink enough water. Winter air is generally more dry, plus throw indoor heat and a few cocktails into the mix, and you can quickly become dehydrated without realizing it. Carry around a non-plastic reusable water bottle when you’re out doing errands, and you’ll easily be able to meet  your water quota.

I should also throw in studies show people are more likely to overeat when they’re tired or dehydrated.  It’s easy to confuse both thirst and exhaustion with being hungry, so save those extra calories for when you really want them and have a glass of water.

4. Shopping - Is there anyone who actually likes being bumped into and shoved around a store crammed with stressed out people looking for gifts? My opinion on shopping for holiday presents is to do it early (okay, it’s a bit late for that tip), do it online, and / or go shopping during “off” times.

We all know the stores and malls will be jam-packed every Saturday and Sunday from now until the end of December.  My favorite time to do in store shopping after Thanksgiving is during the week when the crowds are much smaller. If you work and don’t have any time off the next few weeks, you can also do your shopping during lunch or after work when less people are out and about.

Of course, there’s always online shopping, which I’m a big fan of….I know it’s really nice to see and touch what we’re buying for our loved ones, but you can often can get fabulous deals in online stores this time of year, and right now they usually come with free or reduced Shipping.  All without being elbowed in the back while shopping at J.Crew by some woman trying to get to a turtleneck before you do.  Online sounds like a win-win to me.

And if you’re braving the crowds on Black Friday, all I can say is “May the force be with you”.  And bring your elbows.