Stressed about Santa? 6 Ways to Relax During the Holidays

I have to say I might march to a different beat during the holiday season. I enjoy it! I love the tree, the movies, the good food, the festive atmosphere and the gift of giving.

While seeing family and fitting in all the obligations can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be as awful as some think. With a calm mind and a sense of humor, the holidays can be a blast!

Here are half a dozen ways to relax and enjoy the festivities:

1) Plan Ahead

Even though we’re only a couple of weeks away, get the gifts done now. Shopping online is easy and great deals can be had, often with free shipping. Why tangle with the stores if you don’t have to?

If you do have to hit the mall, go on a weekday during the day if you can, or for a couple of hours in the evening, after the post-work rush.

Make a list and check the layout of the stores on line. Go from one end of the mall to the other and try not to deviate from the list.

Once you’re done, spend a few minutes window-shopping or sit and enjoy the sights and sounds with a hot chocolate. Everyone has 10 minutes to spare -- make use of it by taking a timeout after shopping.

Avail yourself of gift wrapping services and label as soon as they are done. Gift wrapping at stores is done beautifully and saves a ton of time at home.

Enjoy a chair massage if your mall offers them. It’s a great way to have sore muscles worked on, and you’ll sleep well that night.

Freebies are everywhere this time of year at stores -- complimentary hot chocolates, cookies, wine samples and imported cheeses. Savor them all!

Nobody cares if you come home 30 minutes late than planned. Throw caution to the wind and enjoy yourself. The world won’t end because you had a little “me” time while shopping.

2) Designate

When it comes to hosting parties and dinner on the day itself, don’t work alone! For Christmas or Hanukkah dinners, ask each person to bring just one dish. It’s easy for them and takes a huge load off you.

If you designate salads, large dishes, sides and desserts, you may only end up having to heat and serve! But if you’re serving the main course, have everything else taken care of.

Share the clean up after. The more people involved, the faster it’ll be done. Give everyone a job and watch the kitchen and dining area shine in no time at all.

Have your family members help with decorating and cleaning the house. Kids love to have a specific job just for them. Give them something they enjoy doing and watch them keep their promises.

If your spouse or partner isn’t the great host that you are (or vice versa) give them something they’re good at. The more help you have, the more relaxed you’ll be.

3) Embrace Your Humanity!

Forget about being a Pinterest Princess. Be realistic and train your mind and body to relax about things that aren’t really that important. Things might go wrong, something might break, spill, burn or otherwise cause an upset.

Life isn’t a Martha Stewart catalog so give up the dream and embrace imperfection! Who cares if the place-settings don’t match and your tree is slightly uneven and your candles have burned down to different sizes.

Throw gold and silver sprinkles over the dinner table, add an assortment of candles and your table will glow.

Let the dog eat what has fallen on the floor and make fun of your need for perfection. You’ll be a lot more enjoyable to be around! Chat with guests while preparing food and accept all offers of help.

Your dinner table will be much more relaxing when you stop trying to be perfect.

4) Give Yourself a Gift Too

While you are busy buying bath oils and bubbles, wine and candles for your loved ones, buy some for you too. Take advantage of all the Buy 2, Get 1 Free deals out there and pour yourself a bath or take a long luxury shower.

Make your bathroom a no-go zone for your children. Read a book or put your headphones on and let the world slide by. Then head to bed early and slip into clean sheets.

Watch a movie, have sex with your partner or just get an early night. You’ll feel great in the morning. Make sure this is something you do a few days a week.

5) Learn to Say No

Your children need to be realistic about what they can receive and what you can afford. The holidays are about peace, goodwill and giving to others, not all about the self. Kindly let them know that some items on their lists will likely be honored and some won’t.

Don’t get into debt over Christmas and don’t depend on your tax return to pay off credit cards. No kid hated Christmas if they were taught the spirit of the season. While gifts are wonderful, kids remember the excitement, the suspense and the magic.

Many families are learning to say no. Let extended family know that you can’t be in all places at all time and that it’s time you got to relax over the season too.

Meet everyone at a restaurant for lunch or organize a night out. Let someone else do the cooking and cleaning so you can relax and enjoy yourself. If everyone chips in on the bill, it won’t break the bank.

Going from one place to another becomes a frantic mission to please everyone. You can’t please everyone all the time, so stop trying.

6) Don’t be a Martyr -- be Merry!

Ask yourself -- are you much fun to be around over the holiday season? Are you too busy telling everyone with ears how stressed you are? Going on and on about your endless to-do lists? Shouting at your kids over messing with the tree or decorations?

Learn to let it go. Like that infuriating song -- let it go!

A great way to let it all go is to meditate, do yoga or allow yourself time in a darkened room with relaxing music and a candle. Center your body and mind.

Envisage yourself relaxing each muscle from your face, slowly, down to your feet. Feel your body and mind sink into oblivion as you float away from the world.

Doing this for 15 minutes a day will put things in perspective. You’ll give yourself the precious gift of time, and your family will truly embrace the you -- the fun, sweet, relaxed and imperfect you, that Christmas has missed in the past, but will fully embrace now and for future holidays to come.

Edited by Jody Smith

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• Stress
• Wellness