Say no to overcommitting
It’s no surprise that women more than men report feeling stressed at holiday time, as women are frequently in charge of holiday preparations like gifts, meals, cards, decorations, and get-togethers. But this year, consider saying “no” to the millionth task you’re asked to do – or that you’re asking yourself to do. “The season of ‘giving’ can really end up ‘taking’ from you, especially if you’re a person who does too much, can’t say no, and is hesitant to delegate chores,” Serani says. “Your stress response will be working overtime, with cortisol and adrenaline helping you get things done, but leaving you burnt out and irritable.” Instead, make a plan ahead of time for how much you can handle, and avoid committing to more. Don’t put off shopping for food and gifts, and look for ways to cut corners.
Decide how YOU want to spend the holidays
Pressure from visiting family, deciding which side of the family you’re going to visit, or opting to not travel can take its toll. This is especially true if you’re trying to figure out how to avoid a particularly toxic family member who might bring you down and dampen the holiday mood. Instead, set boundaries to help avoid holiday depression and stress. “Identify your personal priorities – with whom do you want to spend time, and how much? Do not hesitate to tell people proactively when you want to see them and for how long,” Wehrenberg says.
She suggests using straightforward language like, “I would love to be together and I also want some time just with my daughter and spouse on Christmas morning. How about if we do breakfast on the 26th?” or “I want to stay home and not travel this year; you’re welcome to join my family at my house.” Avoid being passive-aggressive. And don’t feel guilty: You deserve a happy holiday too.
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Source: RD.com
