How to keep balanced during the holidays

woman doing yoga in the snow

If you’re someone who looks forward to the holiday season all year round, then you probably already have plans to deck out the house and trim the tree. And while the holidays are a fun and joyful time of year, they can also be hectic and stressful. With parties to attend, cookies to bake, and gifts to buy, there’s a lot to do in a short window of time. Here are a few ways that you can maintain balance and enjoy the holidays—while still getting everything done.

 

  1. Keep it simple. Fight your instincts to go all out with your annual family party or Thanksgiving meal. This year, bring it back to the basics. Keep decor minimal and the menu as simple as possible. The point of the holidays is to enjoy and spend time with your loved ones, not drop tons of time and money on a party.
  2. Accept a helping hand. Even if you’re the host of a holiday party, you’re still going to receive offers from friends and family to help out. Let them. Invite your siblings to bring dishes and turn your holiday meal into a potluck. Have your crafty cousin take care of the decorations. If just a few people pitch in, your workload is going to dramatically decrease in no time. And that leaves more mental space to actually savor the holiday season.
  3. Set aside some you time. Speaking of savoring the season, a great way to do that is to put aside a bit of time that’s just for you. Carve out a few hours to do your favorite holiday activity. That could be watching a classic movie on the TV while you sip hot chocolate. It might be going ice skating with your significant other at a local park. Or maybe it’s driving around town to check out the lights. Whatever it is, don’t put your happiness and sanity on the back burner this holiday season. Make time for you so that you have the energy to make time for others.
  4. Shop online. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of the mall around the holidays is enough to fill you with dread. You can avoid that altogether this year, without missing the deals. Most online retailers now participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when they offer deals comparable to those offered in-store. Vow to stay away from the crowded stores this year and instead do your holiday shopping online. If you do want to get out there for some of the shopping, consider participating in Small Business Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a good opportunity to support your local community and do some shopping in a small boutique atmosphere, as opposed to a massive mall.
  5. Remember the real reason for the season. In the midst of the craziness, there’s one very important thing to remember: the holidays aren’t about parties or gifts or cookies. They’re about spending time with people you love. If you keep this in mind, your entire holiday season will slow down.

 

25 Ways to Find Joy and Balance During the Holidays [WebMD]

Finding Balance During the Holiday Season [Guided Path]

How Do You Balance the Holidays and Work? [Monster]

  • October 30th, 2017
  • Posted in: Avalon