Happy? Hardly! How to Quickly Combat Holiday Stress
Stress is one of those emotions that never seems to completely go away. Even during the jolliest time of the year, it likes to poke its head in to remind us something could inevitably go wrong. Presents, plane travel, hosting a gathering and being forced into close quarters with a rowdy mother-in-law are just a few of the things that may stress you out this holiday season. But don’t stress just yet—We’re here to give you the tools to keep the stress around the holidays at bay so you can focus on what the holidays are all about, enjoying your loved ones.
Finances
Charity and giving are two of the main themes around the holidays. This can make this time of year incredibly stressful for those who may be going through financial struggles or feel as though they don’t have the means to give as much as they would like. One simple way to help avoid this stressor is to suggest a gift exchange with a price limit to ensure everyone feels comfortable during the celebrations despite their financial situation. Another way to reduce the stress of finances during the holidays is to encourage everyone to give homemade or recycled gifts. Not only does this help save money but it can help remind us that it’s not the value of what we are giving but the thought behind the gift.
Time & Energy
Time and energy spent searching for the perfect gift can also add to the stress around the holidays, even if money is not a problem. No one likes to give a gift that can be perceived as thoughtless, so most gift givers will repeatedly brave the throngs of people at the mall to search for hours on end. It’s important to keep things in perspective if you are having trouble with this facet of the holidays. The person you are shopping for will be happy with anything you get them, because you are simply showing you care. Remember—everyone feels this stress when shopping! Consider setting up a community on GetAssist where your friends and family can all add their own top 10 list of gifts they’d like to receive this year. To make your gift stand out as extra special, attach a card with a heartfelt note written inside, and move on to the next item on your list.
Travel
Travel: The international cause of stress for people all across the globe. Holiday travel: Take the stresses of travel, and multiply by a million. No matter how much patience you may have, travel is known to bring out the worst in everyone during the holidays. Airports, rental car depots and train stations are transformed into a zoo this time of year, causing anxiety levels to skyrocket. Here are some tips to avoid getting stressed to the max while traveling this year:
Plan your travel in advance: Buying your plane tickets early will not only save you money but also allow you to be more prepared when your travel day comes. The Tuesday nearest 100 days before your trip is said to be the sweet spot, but you can always set alerts for sales that might allow you to save even more if you happen to miss this window.
Take your suitcase out early: In the time since your last trip, your suitcase has probably fallen into the depths of your closet or wiggled its way into the furthest corner of your garage. Putting your suitcase somewhere visible will help you remember to pack in advance instead of minutes before your flight takes off.
Set two alarms: In case you slip into vacation mode before you have reached your destination, the second alarm will prevent you from missing the celebration.
Find a house sitter: Hiring a house sitter is wise if you consider yourself a worrier. With a house sitter you can rest easy knowing everything is safe and secure while you’re away. On GetAssist, you can find house sitters near you with ease. Fill out a few simple questions on what you’re looking for, and you’re ready to go!
Family
Sometimes it’s the family you are spending time with that stresses you out most of all. Some family members might see the holidays as a time to catch up on times you would rather forget, or to add their differing opinion in conversations you may not agree with. When this happens, remember that more often than not their intentions are not to make you uncomfortable or anxious. Be upfront if you are feeling uncomfortable and excuse yourself if you need to. In these situations, your attitude is what will have the most impact on how your holidays will turn out. If seeing a certain family member is just too much to bear, consider setting up a community on GetAssist where you can share all your family’s most important moments throughout the year so they never feel left out.
In the end the holidays are a time to be happy and help one another. Don’t let the stress of the physical aspects of the holiday overshadow the time you have with those that love and care about you. Make the best of the time you have and everything else will fall into place.
