As the holidays approach, we start to think about things like planning parties and entertaining, making our vast list of gift giving and decoration and trying to dedicate more time to our homes and families, while still managing our day to day needs like groceries, chores and jobs. We want to do it all, but at what cost?

Studies show that while being closer to our families and focusing on the traditions of this time of year can be fruitful and satisfying, general stress levels skyrocket leading up to Christmas and into the New Year. Trying to balance our regular lifestyle with the added possibilities these events bring with them can make our anxiety levels increase.

Concerns about over-indulgence at the end of the year when it comes to rich food and drink and how much money we′ve spent become real when we see the numbers on the scale and the debt in our bank accounts.

Today we are going to look at how, if we are more mindful about balance leading up to the holidays, we can better enjoy, manage and decompress after the celebration in a more stress-free and calm way. We can do both, but it may take a little time and focus going into the next six to eight weeks.

Plan Time for Chilling Out

We don′t always explain it this way, but we have to work just as hard at keeping ourselves stress free or decompressing as we do in all the things that make us stressed in the first place! You work hard at your job, you drop everything for your family, you make time for shopping, wrapping presents, planning parties, baking, etc. Phew!

Are you scheduling time to unwind? It sounds crazy, and a lot of us simply wait until we have a break in between all of our meetings and events to settle down. Did you ever think to pop in an hour for something that will chill you out and let you hit the reset button? We wait and wait and wait until we can have a break, but really, is that likely to happen?

Schedule an hour for an actual lunch break, go for a walk, read that can′t-put-down book over a quick latte a block from your office, hit up a shorter yoga class over your lunch hour. Heck, if there′s a daycare near your work, take a moment to watch the kids play. Life was much simpler when we were 4, so take a page from them and find joy in the simple things.

Simple things like massage, getting your hair done, going for a facial or spa treatment, acupuncture, even just going shopping in your favorite store – find the thing that gives you some mental breathing room and it can make a huge difference.

Ask For Help

Some of us struggle with putting our hands up to ask for help when we feel overwhelmed. Whether this is out of sheer pride, or just wanting to do nice things for others and giving them a break, there are easier ways to deal with feeling like you′ve got too much on your plate, but you don′t want to admit it.

A big surprise to you may be how easily the folks around you will accept your request for help. Turns out that they have been wondering how you always manage to get everything done, and they′d love a chance to lend a hand, and maybe even express a desire to learn from you. You may realize those around you constantly offer you help, but you consistently refuse.

Pride comes to mind, as well as control. If you are feeling completely stressed about the 15 person, 5 course gourmet dinner you put on every year, along with getting your magazine worthy decor ready and finding that perfectly elegant outfit, stop and ask yourself if youneed to do it all. Could there be some vanity at play and you don′t want someone else taking the credit?

If you can let go of your own expectations and remember that we all enjoy being included and pitching in where we can, life could be a lot easier for you. Have a girl′s night and drag out your decorations over a few glasses of wine. That could become an event on its own, and you may come up with some new ideas, as well as getting things crossed off your list.

You Can′t Do Everything

Sometimes, there′s simply too much going on in our lives and we′ll have to be selective if we hope to keep our sanity and get enough sleep! Don′t be afraid to turn people down if you feel like your calendar is packed too full. Generally, there are the traditional dates or events you know are coming, but do you still enjoy going to them?

You don′t have to keep repeating the same things like Groundhog Day year after year! A lot of us have a hard time deciding how we′ll get our kids to both sets of in-laws and grandparents on Christmas Day. If you can′t get everyone in the same room at the same time, consider alternating important holidays, or extending the holidays over two days to fit it all in.

You don′t have to be a jerk about it, of course! We often get stuck in thinking we can′t say no to anyone, lest we hurt their feelings. In the end, we all just want to celebrate the year coming to and end with people we care about.

If you find yourself struggling to drag your butt to Aunt Joyce′s terrible annual fruit cake party, where she and her friends make snide comments about how much weight you′ve gained, or how lame your cookie tins are, why are you still going? If it′s out of respect, maybe you can drop in for a cup of tea and a hug and then beat it to another event you really don′t want to miss.

Sometimes we just have to choose what is the most important to us, and being straightforward in turning down the things we don′t want to attend, or just don′t have the time to attend is usually the best way to go. Think about how much more thought you can put into your events if you plan ahead and are genuinely excited for them.

Make a Budget and Look for Opportunities

A lot of us use the holidays to as an excuse to spoil the heck out of our loved ones in celebration of the season or of the year coming to an end. Then we recoil in horror in January when our first credit card bills come in. We don′t have to start the New Year by falling behind and trying to catch up though, a little bit of planning can go a long way in avoiding the overspending blues.

Make a list and stick to it – many of us ‘forget′ someone at the last minute and rush to find something to bring for a hostess gift or something for your step brother′s cousin′s daughter. Sit down well before the big day and make a list of all the events you plan on attending, plus all the folks you want to give gifts to. Then, think about the things they would like most.

Some of us feel like we have to outdo each other, or spoil someone at the holidays, but a well-thought out gift might be more meaningful to them than an expensive last minute present. Perhaps you can make some gifts, or, if you look closely, you might find the perfect gift on their list that costs a fraction of the TV you were looking at getting them.

The smile on their faces will be worth the extra time put in. TVs go on sale, but time is priceless.

A great way to save some money and get some more general gifts in case you forgot someone at the last minute is to redeem points. Credit cards, drugstores, grocery stores, banks – there are so many rewards programs now, and if you plan ahead, you can save them up all year to redeem them for great gifts.

Gift cards, bath products, books – depending on what you choose, you can find something for almost anyone and not have to pay a lot. It just takes a little planning.

Conclusion

Overall, we often take on too much out of sheer excitement for this time of year. Sometimes we need to admit that we are too worried about what others think and need to be more realistic and confident in deciding how we are going to best spend our holidays, and with whom.

There are many more ways we can diminish our stress, using crystal therapy or meditationbeing two excellent ways to do so, simply being thoughtful and intentional about what we hope to accomplish can go a long way in keeping our sanity. Do not let guilt intrude – be kind, be giving, but be thoughtful about your choices and you′ll feel much more relaxed.