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Avoiding Holiday Stress

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For many of us the holidays are as stressful as they are fun. The month between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are filled with decorating, baking, shopping, office parties and family obligations. Add the unrealistic expectations we tend to place on ourselves this time of year, and our stress levels can go through the roof. Here are some suggestions for rethinking how you manage the holidays so you can maintain some degree of sanity.

  • Simplify gift giving. Instead of trying to make or find the “perfect” gift, ask people what they would like. Shop early when there is more of a selection. Or, avoid shopping altogether and give charity gift cards to family and friends, You can buy cards and certificates from sites like TisBest, JustGive and Network for Good that allow the recipient to donate the money to the non-profit of their choice.
  • Focus on others. Instead of stressing out about creating the perfect holiday for your family, find a way that everyone can give back to the community. You might choose to adopt a family, volunteer at a toy drive for underprivileged kids, or help at a local food bank.
  • Practice the power of no. Say it now. “No!” This word can be extremely powerful and liberating. The holidays seem to come with many unrealistic expectations that we, or others, place on us. Select the parties and events that are closest to your heart to attend. Avoid time crunches by making plans to visit some family and friends soon after the holidays. Allow time for yourself and do the things you enjoy. Again, let’s practice. “No!”
  • Simplify your celebrations. Holiday traditions can be wonderful and heart-felt, but if they don’t seem to fit into your current lifestyle, then consider making some new traditions that do. Have you always slaved away in the kitchen to prepare a meal for your entire extended family? Instead, ask others to bring their favorite dishes to lighten the burden. Also, save time by cooking and freezing food ahead of time. Use that extra time you would’ve spent in the kitchen to enjoy time with those you love.
  • Take time to exercise. Exercise is a great stress reliever, so make sure to keep it on your schedule. If you find yourself fighting for time, try some high intensity interval training (HIIT), which maximizes your calorie burning in a shorter period of time. Learn more about HIIT at http://www.intervaltraining.net/hiit
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