Tips to Avoid Holiday Stress in 2021

Sure, everyone makes a few mistakes during the holidays. (We’re all human, after all.) If you want to reduce those mistakes and have a great time, avoiding stress can help. Extra stress makes us do and say things that we sometimes regret, so avoiding it is vital. Below are a few of the best tips to avoid holiday stress in 2021.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Tip 1: Staying Healthy Throughout the Holiday Season

When you’re healthy, you’re usually happy too and less stressed. That’s why this is one of the best tips to avoid holiday stress in 2021. That’s why staying healthy is so important during the holidays (even though it’s not always easy). To remain as healthy as possible, make sure to follow this advice:

Tip 2: Avoid Holiday Stress by Eating Well

No, we don’t mean devour an extra piece of pumpkin pie or gorge yourself on Grandma’s cookies! Make sure you eat plenty of fresh veggies and fruit and keep your sugar consumption reasonable. The better your overall diet, the healthier you’ll stay during the stressful holiday period.

Tips 3: Avoid Holiday Stress by Staying Hydrated

Many adults tend to drink too many adult beverages over the holiday. Plus, most people don’t drink nearly as much water as they should. The combination can leave you dehydrated and weak, which can lead to holiday colds and flu. Experts recommend drinking 6 to 8, 8-ounce glasses of water every day.

Tips to Avoid Holiday Stress in 2021

Tip 4: Relax and Don’t Let Little Problems Bother You

Family, pets, time-constraints, and more can be upsetting, it’s true. Here’s the thing, though; they aren’t the end of the world. Little Billy spilled soda on the floor? No biggie, just a quick clean-up. Does Aunt Mary keep saying inappropriate things? Chuckle and know that, in a few hours, she’ll be leaving. If you can, laugh at the little snafu’s and let them just roll off your back.

Tip 5: Practice Meditation to Avoid Holiday Stress

Meditation is, in a word, amazing. It lowers your blood pressure, helps you focus, and calms the mind significantly. In short, it’s a tremendous stress reducer. It’s also easy, free, and can be done almost anywhere. Check out this handy self-care guide that works all year around.

Tip 6: Limit Screen-Time and Device Usage

Studies show that, especially over the holidays, too much screen time can lead to stress. The same can be said for other devices, which is why experts recommend putting them aside during holiday time. Plus, when you’re not face-first in a screen, you’ll have more time to engage with your fave family members. (Yes, we realize that could be a blessing and a curse.)

Tip 7: Make a Celebration Plan to Avoid Holiday Stress

Planning your holiday festivities, trips and party is a great way to keep your stress low. You’ll know what needs to be done, what you need to make, and much more. You can share your plans with relatives too, and keep their nosey antics from stressing you out.

Tips to Avoid Holiday Stress in 2021

Tip 8: Create a Budget (and Stick to it!)

Overspending doesn’t cause a lot of stress before the holidays, but it sure can after they’re done! Experts recommend creating a holiday budget for presents, food, alcohol, and so forth. The trick, of course, is to stick to your budget as best as you can.

Tip 9: Get Your Shopping Done as Early as Possible

Another stress-causing situation during the holidays is having to shop at the last minute. Let’s face it; the stores to be packed to the brim, and nerves will be frayed. That’s why it’s essential to get your shopping done early. That way, rather than stressing about what to buy, you can leisurely pack presents instead. Even better, watch a holiday movie while you do! It’s a great way to get in the spirit!

Tip 10: Spend As Much Time As You Can Handle with Family

The holidays are all about spending time with family. Of course, some family members are easier to get along with than others. One suggestion is to spend as much time as you can with them but not too much time. Know when to call it a night, for example. Of course, spend as much time with the people you adore most, especially Grandma and Grampa. (They won’t be around forever.)

Tips to Avoid Holiday Stress in 2021

Tip 11: Don’t Try to Do Everything On Your Own

This last stress-reducing tip is one that many will benefit from, no doubt. When you try to do everything yourself, often you get less done instead of more. It’s usually better to ask for help, let others do some cooking, and delegate tasks when possible. Try everything from getting a storage unit for extra decorations to delegating tasks. You’ll still have a wonderful time, we promise, with less stress and more smiles.

This post was published on 12/17/2021. It was updated on 3/10/2021.