Share This Article!

Even though the holidays are supposed to be the most joyous time of the year, it seems like people become more stressed, frazzled, and grumpy. From waiting impatiently in long lines at the mall to fretting about what holiday gifts to shop for, the holidays can easily cause frustration and anxiety for people. To help you relax, unwind, and enjoy the season, today’s personal growth guide shares 5 simple techniques for relieving stress during the holidays.

#MondayMotivation - 3 Simple Techniques for Relieving Stress During the Holidays

Focus on forgiveness

Whenever I encounter frustrating people, I always remind myself of this quote: “If you knew everything about everyone, you’d forgive everyone for everything.” When you think about how this quote applies to every situation, it encourages you to forgive people. Whether they’re stressed out because they’re worried about money or are taking care of a dying family member, people often conceal their problems but act out in other ways.

The next time these people act unfavorably, don’t react, just mentally forgive them. If you found out that they were dealing with a terminal illness, depression, or another major issue, would it change your viewpoint of them? Most likely you’d feel more empathetic and less judgmental. Not only does forgiveness help make interactions with people easier, it also relieves you of the anger that you’d normally experience when reacting to people’s negativity. Especially during the holidays, when stress levels are at an all time high, forgiveness helps both you and others by relieving stress.

#MondayMotivation - 3 Simple Techniques for Relieving Stress During the Holidays

Be patient

One of the most challenging things to do when you’re limited on time and feel like you have a growing list of to-dos is to be patient, but it’s the one behavior that can help you feel calmer and less stressed during the holidays. The next time you’re in line at the mall, stuck in traffic or waiting for someone to get dressed (even though you needed to leave the house 10 minutes ago), just take a deep breath and be patient. Instead of fighting your circumstances, which makes you feel more stressed and frustrated, accept the situation and be patient.

#MondayMotivation - 3 Simple Techniques for Relieving Stress During the Holidays

Prioritize your time

During the holidays, we often feel anxious because we have more things to do. Shopping for holiday gifts, entertaining guests, hosting parties – these are supposed to be joyous occasions, but more often than not leave us feeling stressed out. To relieve stress during the holidays, prioritize your time and responsibilities. Write up a list of all the things you want to accomplish, and tackle the big tasks first. As you check off your to-do list, you’ll feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Prioritizing your time also means saying no to any unessential activities or requests. By prioritizing your time, you’ll be relieving stress for yourself and your family during the holidays.

As we move into the holidays, remember to make time to enjoy yourself. Turn off your phone, don’t check emails, and just take a little break. The more stressed you are, the more you need some rest and relaxation. Whether you spend an afternoon baking with your family or enjoy an evening catching up with friends over wine and appetizers, doing leisurely activities during the holidays will help you relieve stress and feel refreshed to start the New Year.

For more ways to relieve stress during the holidays, check out the Personal Growth section on Inspirations & Celebrations.


Share This Article!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.