subject: 10 Organizational Tips to Minimize Holiday Stress [print this page] 10 Organizational Tips to Minimize Holiday Stress
Although the holiday season is a joyous time of year that is full of celebration, it also can be stressful for some people. Preparation for various holiday celebrations require a good amount of time and work and can often be overwhelming if not properly handled. The following list provides ten organizational tips that can help us all breathe a little easier over the holiday season.
1. Make more than a gift list: Your gift list should not be the only list you make during the holiday season. Jot down a quick organizational list of the things you need to get done. Although it seems like a simple solution, it will help clear the clutter in your head and realize the important tasks.
2. Distribute the work: If you are hosting a holiday party or dinner, you might try to take on the full brunt of the preparation yourself, which can be quite overwhelming. Don't be hesitant to distribute some of the preparation and cleanup work to other family members, friends or party goers after all they are having fun on your watch.
3. Pace Yourself: Try to not leave most of your holiday preparation for the last minute before your celebration. Do some of the work ahead of time by cleaning up, buying long term frozen food items and a log for the fireplace.
4. Enjoy Yourself: Although you are running the show, try to make some time to enjoy yourself. After all, what's the point of celebrating the holiday's if you spend the whole time slaving over a stove and cleaning up the house? Get your helpers to take over for an hour or two while you help yourself to a glass of wine and chat with friends.
5. Don't Rule Out the Secret Santa: With certain circles of family and friends it makes perfect sense to not have to buy a gift for every person. This can be very expensive and time consuming. A Yankee Swap or Secret Santa game makes gift giving cheaper, faster, and fun.
6. Realize You Can't Please Everyone: If you are throwing a large party for family and friends there are sure to be a few conflicting personalities around. Don't try to be the person who makes everyone happy that's simply impossible.
7. Prepare with Junk Hauling: Preparation is king and can certainly prevent a holiday disaster. One way to prepare is to haul off all the extra clutter in your home to make room for people to walk around the house and breathe a little. Every home has an array of furniture, toys, equipment, and junk that is simply collecting dust and getting in the way all the time. Get a junk hauling service to come by before your holiday party to efficiently remove those items and make room for your celebration.
8. Breathe: It may sound stupidly simple, but making sure you take time amidst all the holiday chaos to take a second for a deep breath can be a game changer. Concentrating on your breathing will drastically decrease your stress level and allow you to continue with the task at hand.
9. Get Your Holiday Exercise On: Whether it be a post dinner walk around the block, a jog on the treadmill or a flag football game, try to get out and make your body active during the holidays. Because of the cold weather, many of us are inclined to hibernate,' but that can lead to a low energy day. Exercise will provide you with the fuel to keep going through your holiday preparation cycle.
10. Moderation: Many people take the holiday season as a time for excess in eating, drinking and buying. Although it's great to have a little fun, if you over-do it during the holidays it can lead to post-holiday depression and regret. Have fun doing the little things that you love, but don't do them in excess.
