Cut the Stress this Holiday Season

In 2008, the American Psychological Association noted that 8 out of 10 people “anticipated a stressful holiday season.” Reasons for stress include spending too much money, attending too many events and eating too much food.

Every year people say that they are going to reduce the number of gifts they give or decrease their social obligations, but then they find it difficult to say no.

Take out your calendar today and mark all of the events that you have committed to. Are there any activities that you don’t enjoy and can stop doing? Make sure you schedule time to do things that give you pleasure.

If you still have to buy gifts or get ingredients for cooking, schedule a shopping trip for the beginning of the month so that you can avoid running out at the last minute. You will reduce stress and save time if you can shop early in the season. You’ll also avoid crowds by shopping first thing in the morning or late in the evening, since stores will be open longer.

Before you buy anything, check for gifts you may have already bought and put away. If you are someone who buys things when you see them, put them all in one place so you choose appropriate gifts for people on your list. If you have a lot of people you habitually exchange gifts with, see if you can shorten your list. Ask if some of them would prefer to go to lunch as a group or draw names so you buy fewer gifts. Most people don’t need more things and would probably be relieved to buy fewer gifts, too.

What can you do to reduce some of the stress you usually feel this time of year? Click on Post a Comment, below, and tell us.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do! Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/organizedmarcie