Three Timely Tips for Less Stressful Holidays

Three Timely Tips for Less Stressful Holidays

The holidays are here, as you may have noticed from the sudden hailstorm of glittery magazine ads, TV commercials and gift lists. From Martha in her Santa cap to every decked out retail storefront, we're being sold a set of high expectations, very temptingly packaged. Call it barely surprising that this time meant for focus on family, appreciation and sharing tends to turn into a combination stressfest and consumption conundrum.

We've even developed dialog around it. In response to the standard "how are you?" query, busy is the new good.

Fortunately it's perfectly possible to have a different kind of holiday. One that involves less over-commitment, guilt and anxiety. By pledging to take steps toward healthier time management and start giving personal needs and expectations the same priority as you do for others, you'll enjoy a less stressful and more meaningful holiday season.

Here are three easy ways:

1. Make your happiness a priority!

Over commitment is one of the major causes of stress and stress leads to unhappiness. It's okay to set limits for yourself and uphold them, which sometimes means having to say no. As discovered by The Happiness Project:One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy; One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.

2. Presence over perfection.

We're so bombarded with media images at this time of year, all designed by the best minds in the business to make us feel the need to achieve a certain level of perfection. Decide what is important for your family and make that the center of your celebration. When we make a conscious decision to appreciate what's most important, a lot of the little things that otherwise stress us out become less noticeable.

3. Meditate, even for a few minutes.

Research shows that meditation, even just ten minutes a day, is one of the most reliable ways to increase our natural tendency toward happiness. And don't worry about being good at it Because even if you are terrible at meditating and your mind races and you struggle to sit still, those few minutes are still beneficial in improving physical, mental and emotional well-being.

So consider adopting even one of these habits this holiday season and see how it goes! (and of course if you shop local and buy organic, all the merrier!) However you do it, be present, stay calm and enjoy your holidays.

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