Your Guide to a Less Stressful Holiday Season

How to slow down and enjoy this holiday season..

Now that Halloween has past and the holiday season is fast approaching- weather you start the festivities early (like myself) or your someone who waits till December to start the celebration, the thought of Christmas can be overwhelming, stressful and even depressing to some. This is a beautiful time of year thats meant to be enjoyed. To rejoyce with loved ones and spread good cheer. Unfortunately this can be overlooked when it comes to preparation. The endless to do list- shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping. The crowds, the bills, the guilt and the endless pursuit of perfection. The perfect decorations, the perfect meals, the perfect photos, the perfect gifts. Its alot. In this post I am going to share my tips and things I personally am going to be striving for this year so that we can actually enjoy this wonderful season!

I know we can go into this season with nothing but good intentions and its very easy to get lost is the chaos and over exert yourself, the following tips should help to get us all through happier, healthier, and with more beautiful memories than ever.

Tip #1 - Don't over extend yourself..

Its likely that you're going to be invited to many events, some you want to attend and some you don't. We already have alot on our plates going into the season with our own events, family dinners, kids school events, work parties, ect.. so be careful what you say yes too. Saying yes to too many things will cause you anxiety and a head ache. Say no without guilt, it's nothing personal (or maybe it is) but this is your Christmas too. We only get so many in this life and we should be able to enjoy the ones we have the way we want too and without feeling a constant rush and pressure. I suggest first figuring out your own plans. Family traditions that you hold near and dear to your heart. Pencil them in on your calendar and see whats left for time after that. Then you'll need to account for children's events. You know the christmas concerts and what not. Dont forget to schedule in dates for shopping. Shopping is time consuming and stressful on its own. Having your shopping days planned takes away alot of that stress. Know where you need to go which stores you gotta hit and take the day to get shit done. Once you have this all planned you will know exactly how much time you have left over and what you're willing to do with that time. Maybe you dont have a ton of time left and would rather use the days free to enjoy Christmas movies and be cozy. Whatever you choose to do with your spare time is entirely up to you, because it's just that YOUR TIME.

Tip #2 - Make a Budget

This one is the least sexy of them all. Making a budget and sticking to it can be hard and give you major ick vibes but it is essential to plan out what you need and how your going to buy it if you don't want January to come and along with the let down of Christmas being over getting a massive credit card bill and thinking FUCK! Trust me I've done this multiple times. Alot of us have and it really sucks ass! So write a list, write multiple lists. Gifts- broken down into each person to create fairness. Food- Christmas dinner, Christmas eve, Baking and snacks. Decorations- "do i really need more?" Make the lists check online for the best deals and make a game plan. I personally keep my lists in my notes on my phone- name it something boring so your kids don't decide to snoop.

Tip #3 - Keeping up with Healthy Habits.

One of the most wonderful parts of Christmas is the food, treats, sweets and drinks. Knowing what we're in for we can plan ahead and make slight changes to fit this into our lives without the looming guilt and thought of gaining 20 lbs and going into the new year having to once again set the goal to lose 20 lbs lol. Indulging over the holidays is absolutely necessary. Like I said we only get so many holiday seasons to enjoy so don't put yourself on a tight leash. This will lead to binging and burnout. Enjoy your favourite treats but know when to stop. Allowing yourself to enjoy the things you love and knowing you can have more will help you to not eat 12 cookies and a jug of eggnog in a single sitting. To keep yourself on track be sure to drink lots of water, get your steps in daily, don't skip your strength training days, hit those protein goals and load up on veggies with every meal. You will come out the other side of the holiday feeling so much better knowing you were "mostly" good over the past month.

Tip #4 - Squeeze in Self Care

Do not feel guilty about needing some time for yourself. And no, not time to clean, shop or cook. Real quality time with yourself. Take a bath, meditate, read, take a walk, or just chill out and watch your some cheesy hallmark movies in peace. Check in with yourself, be honest and make sure you're taken care of too.

Tip #5 - Slow Down

This is the goal right? I know, easier said than done. Even stopping or 5 minutes to collect your thoughts. Notice how beautiful th lights and decorations are. Sit with your family and watch your favourite childhood Christmas movie while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa without having your phone in your hand- actually put the phone in another room all together. No distractions. Schedule it in if you have to but be sure to take the time becase the kids wont remeber if the dishes sat in the sink a little longer or the laundry didnt get folded this night. (trust me I struggle with this) but they will remember mom cuddled up with them on the couch laughing and smiling with them. They will remember icing sugar cookies together making the mess with Christmas music playing in the background. They will remember walking around the neighbourhood looking at all the beautiful lights on houses glowing with Christmas magic.

Don't let it slip away.. this time is precious

Let's be real the holiday season is ALOT. It can be vert stressful but implementing these tips I am confident that we will come out of it happier, healthier and feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Remember to breathe, take it all in. The kids are only small for a little while.

Love,

Celeste