The most wonderful time of year!?!?

It’s SUPPOSED to be the most wonderful time of the year. Only there you are, battling your way to the register among hordes of mall shoppers, listening to relatives bicker at family get-togethers, and staying up until all hours to bake festive treats. But are your GRINCH feelings normal – or do you need to do things differently to better handle the holidays?

Seasonal overstress is not uncommon: numerous studies have found that for many people, the holidays are the most overwhelming part of the year, and women are even more affected than men. REALITY CHECK: despite all the holiday craft and decorations boards on Pinterest, there are no requirements when it comes to celebration.Here are 5 proven ways to enjoy the season without freaking out!

1. Remake a list, don’t check it twice: jot down your top priorities, leaving off anything that is not an absolute must.  Be BRUTAL!  Do you really have to host more than one meal or go to every party?  Then delegate what you can.  Give your partner a list of to-dos – whether it’s shopping for gifts or hauling out the decorations.
2. Be REAL about family fun: expecting relatives to be one big happy family can lead to letdown.  Instead, aim for one big CALM family.  If relatives are coming, don’t leave chunks of unstructured time when they can get on one another’s nerves.  Organize EASY activities, like a Monopoly championship or a movie screening.  You can also suggest that guests relax with a book or take a walk outside.  If you’re visiting family, it might help to have an escape plan – tell them that you’ll stop by but can’t stay all day.

 

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