Although almost everyone loves the holiday season, it can also be a time of stress. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done. Decorating, shopping, baking, cooking, wrapping presents, attending parties, and visiting with families and friends can make this wonderful time of year overwhelming. Saying “yes” to every request can sometimes result in feeling exhausted. So, this holiday season, commit to setting boundaries and savoring each moment. Here are a few tips:
- Take care of yourself! This means something different to each of us:
- Spend time alone. Pray. Meditate.
- Enjoy the wonderful church celebrations, activities, and Masses. They are beautiful and heartwarming.
- Get enough sleep.
- Practice gratitude.
- Take time to relax, and don’t overextend yourself.
- Pamper yourself. Do something you enjoy!
- Practice self-control with eating and drinking when attending family gatherings and holiday events.
- Don’t forget to exercise!
- Give yourself permission to say “no.” This includes parties, gift-giving, baking cookies, or decorating your house. Just because you have “always done it that way” doesn’t mean you need to keep doing it! Ask yourself whether it is “value added,” and if so, it’s fine to continue.
- Ask others for help. Most of us don’t like to ask for help when hosting an event or preparing for the holidays, but should you reconsider? Asking people to bring a dish to a party will help alleviate some stress. Baking with friends or family is a great way to share recipes, and decorating the tree or house with others is a great tradition to start!
- Look for opportunities to make holiday preparation a little easier. Consider purchasing part of a holiday meal from a store or ordering groceries or gifts online, rather than standing in long lines at the shops. Reduce some of your Christmas baking and buy a few fancy desserts at the bakery.
- Keep conversations light and fun. Take the opportunity to reminisce about past holidays. This is a great time to share pictures and videos from years prior! Stay clear of politics and the year’s stressful events. If people get into disagreements about politically charged discussions, steer the conversation into something lighter.
- Ask family and friends to refrain from talking and texting on the phone during gatherings. Try decorating a basket and asking everyone to put their phones in it. This is a great opportunity to “disconnect” for a few hours, be present in the moment, and enjoy time with loved ones.
- Know your limitations. If something feels like it’s “too much,” reevaluate whether you need to continue it. This could include family gatherings, staying out late, shopping, or just doing too much! No one will think less of you if you let them know you need to take a “breather.”
- Share the holiday with someone who could use your help or who is alone. This could include calling or visiting a caregiver or someone who is lonely. Consider delivering a meal to their home or giving them a small gift. This could also include spending a couple of hours sitting with a caregiver so they have some time for themselves.
In the end, it is up to each of us to make the holidays what we want them to be. It is our responsibility to set limits on ourselves so we have time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on and thank God for our blessings and to share that spirit with our loved ones.
