How can we enjoy the holiday season and not get too stressed out about it? For me, one answer emerged from an unlikely source: my 3 ½-year-old grandson, “Ethan” (not his real name).
Ethan and I have breakfast together once a week. As the two of us prepare his bowl of oatmeal, it prompts all kinds of conversations. Many of them are about whether to add brown sugar, a swirl of cinnamon or another ingredient to his hot cereal. Occasionally, they relate to other, bigger topics or something that worries him.
When I’m with my grandson, I’m not thinking about my cellphone. I’m not thinking about the errands I have to do that afternoon. I’m only thinking about him and listening to what’s on his mind. As a result, I can tune out the rest of the world for a while and relish the time we have together.
This “stay-in-the-present” approach is a good one to use all year round. But it’s especially important during for the holidays when multitasking is a constant temptation. Whether you’re gift shopping for someone special or preparing a favorite holiday dessert, the experience becomes more meaningful — and less stressful — if you let yourself focus on the moment.
Here are three more basic ways to reduce holiday stress:
- Prioritize your to-do list. Gift shopping, baking, cooking, home decorating, holiday cards and planning visits with family and friends add up to a lot of tasks. Don’t feel compelled to do everything. Concentrate on the two or three items that matter the most – and leave it at that.
- Let go of outdated holiday traditions. Sometimes it makes sense to streamline or even eliminate holiday customs when they become less enjoyable, unwieldy and/or too expensive. In my house, for example, we stopped buying a full-sized Christmas tree and get a table-top one instead. It’s easier to set up, takes less time to decorate – yet still puts us in the holiday spirit.
- Take advantage of time savers. Shop online. Avoid grocery stores and post offices during peak hours. And don’t be afraid to delegate. Let someone else handle the holiday tasks you don’t have to (or want to) do personally.
One extra tip: Take short breaks regularly. Whether it’s through a 60-minute Reiki session, a walk outdoors or a cup of tea next to the fire, carve out time each day to decompress. Small respites can lead to big results when it comes to managing holiday stress.