Reduce stress before it begins. The holidays can be hectic specifically for working parents. It is important to reduce stress by focusing on the things that are special to you and your family and accepting that you may not be able to please everyone, including yourself. A lot of people suffer from chronic stress throughout the year so I would urge anyone who would class themselves in this category to find a way to relax and keep calm.
Reduce Stress During the Holidays
The holidays can bring a lot of joy and excitement. However. the holidays can also be stressful and difficult for some. The pressure of hosting the perfect dinner or buying gifts for everyone can leave you feeling empty at the end of the season. With all the prepping for dinner, visiting family members and attending all the holiday parties we can sometimes get a little overwhelmed. There is the great belief that the holidays are supposed to be wonderful, peaceful and merrier for all, but lets be honest, if you are a parent (especially a mom) the holidays can bring a migraine if you let it. Whether you have decided to stay home this year for the holidays or are planning a family trip, there will always be a level of stress involved. Stress is something many of us go through, no matter what we plan to do around the festive period.
The most important to do is access the situation and ask yourself:
What gets you stressed around the holidays? For me it is simple, shopping, dinner preparation, and cleaning the house with a toddler. None of these things bothered me in the past, until I gave birth to my son and tried hosting the holidays, now it seems I can’t get it together, until now. I’ve come up with some tips to help make it through the holidays and reduce stress.
What To Do
- Make a to-do list
- Get older kids to help
- Give smaller kids age appropriate chores
- Let someone else do the cleaning
- Plan dinner accordingly
My daughter is a teen and she is old enough to help. She knows her way around the kitchen very well, while I don’t let her cook the dinner. I do have her prep my veggies and wash my dishes, which is a big time saver. It is also a good time to bond and teach her about holiday cooking. That is how I learned to cook big dinners.
If you are hosting Christmas dinner this year, it is important to plan the meal size accordingly. I have decided this year that I do not want to miss out on playing with my son and all his toys. So I have planned a meal that will be absolutely delicious, but will not require me to spend the entire day in the kitchen. I will also do prep work for the meal two days in advance. I talk about this in the video below.
Check out my video for more tips to reduce stress and save a little time during this week. Remember it is also never too late to delegate or ask for help. You remember the holidays are just a short part of your life and this too shall past!
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