Relaxed Christmas:
7 Tips!

Mirjam Stoffels

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Joy and happiness to millions each year. However, with that joy often comes the stress of meeting the obligations and expectations of family, friends and work. This sure can take the joy out…

 
This time of the year can be immensely stressful. So many things are added to our already stretched ‘to-do’ lists. On top of all our daily activities, we have to tackle the long holiday planning list!

However, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the holidays and Christmas are all about spending time with family and friends. It’s the time to share the joys of the season and have a good time together.

 
We want you to have the best possible Christmas, so before you accept holiday stress as the norm, here are seven tips to help your holiday season be a relaxing one.

 
#1
Be selfish
Schedule some me-time to do what you love to do, even if you only have a few minutes to fit in. Cut your weekly half hour jog into two 15-minutes sessions. Practice a few yoga poses for 10 minutes. Whatever it is, make sure you have some uninterrupted time every day to do something just for yourself. It will give you that so needed break and mood boost before you return to your holiday-to-do-list.

 
#2
Power nap
Some of that previous mentioned me-time might just as well be a power nap. You may not have the time for that lazy morning lounging in bed this Christmas, but a short power nap in the middle of the day will lower your stress hormone levels enough to make visiting your in-laws bearable. Skip the snooze button in the morning. Studies have shown that a 20-minutes nap in the middle of the day provides more rest than staying in bed an extra 20 minutes in the morning. And don’t forget to close the blinds and shut off your phone!

 
#3
Just be relaxed about Christmas
Odd as it seems, we often need to make a conscious decision to relax, particularly if our bodies have become used to a frenetic lifestyle. If something about Christmas is really stressing you out, shut your eyes and imagine you are in a land far, far and away, where you feel safe and comfortable. If you feel yourself about to lose it, say ‘I’m stressed out, but I have a choice how I react, and I choose to stay calm.’

 
#4
Just say ‘No!’
Your brother and his wife want to stay in your one-bedroom apartment during Christmas, and they want to bring their newborn triplets? Just say ‘No!’ Your mother’s friend needs a ride to the airport at 2 AM? Just say ‘No!’ Set boundaries and stick to them. Feeling a little stressed and and having extra responsibilities during the holidays is normal, but don’t let yourself be the go-to person for everything that no one wants to do.

 
#5
Have sex
A study in Scotland found that sex lowers stress, blood pressure and anxiety. And the effects can linger for days. Take a break from baking snowman-shaped sugared cookies and grab your sweetie. Or set your alarm a little earlier to sneak in some before the day gets going.

 
#6
Clean up
Eliminate your mental clutter by organizing the physical clutter. Take half an hour at the end of the day to get through your home and pick up anything off the floor, throw out the garbage, clean up the kitchen and organize. When you enter the organized and cleaned up living room the next morning, you will feel organized and cleaned up, ready for a new day!

 
#7
Just accept and be grateful
Actually, when you think about it, getting stressed about Christmas is rather self-indulgent and decadent. We are incredibly lucky. Most of us can enjoy a decent chunk of time off work, spent in safety and comfort with our family. So, when you feel the stress creeping up, remember the parts of the world where real suffering takes place. You’re much more likely to enjoy Christmas if you keep it simple, focus on what’s important and don’t sweat the small stuff.

 
Merry Christmas everyone!

 

 
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How about you? Do you experience Xmas-stress?
If yes, how do you ‘conquer’ this?
Share with us in the comment box below!!

Mirjam Stoffels

Founder of seven2success, author of ‘Daily Little Secrets to Success’ and guest blogger at TEDxRoermond, Project Eve and 365 dagen succesvol. In my mission to make seven2success the biggest platform of knowledge and inspiration for women, I want to inspire you with our content! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Let’s to connect! And do you want to inspire other women? Write for us!

 
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