Have a merry Christmas: 3 ways to enjoy the holiday season
For most of us, Christmas is a fun time. From celebrating the birth of Christ to cheesy holiday movies, Christmas is a time to make new memories with family and friends. Some of my favorite memories have been loud, off-key singing Christmas songs while driving around looking at lights and coming back to our house to make homemade ornaments with our fellas. Each year, I look forward to enjoying these moments.
Sadly, the holidays can also mean stress. The mixture of crowds, fast-paced music, high-fat foods, and heavy traffic can often lead to experiencing stressmas instead of enjoying Christmas.
Here are three ways to stress less so that you can better enjoy the Christmas season.
1. Respond wisely
Sometimes it is difficult to determine which activities need your time and attention, especially during the holidays. Whenever you receive an invite, think about how the new request fits in with your current commitments before responding. It can be easy to agree to invitations out of guilt or continue a tradition out of obligation. But continually saying yes without careful consideration can only lead to additional stress and frustration.
Saying no to certain activities allows you the opportunity to say yes to what really matters. Spend time thinking about gives you joy during the holiday time. Is it baking in the kitchen with your grandmother? Could it be cuddling on the couch with your hubby for a Christmas movie binge? Maybe it’s driving around listening to Christmas music while you look at the lights with your children? Or is it serving your local community at a homeless shelter? Unless you know how you want to spend your holiday time, you won’t respond wisely to requests for your time.
2. Rest well
Between Christmas parties, work demands, and traveling, rest can often be one of the first areas to be sacrificed in our effort to do it all. Although it can be tempting to cut your regular sleep hours to attend an additional party, to hang out with a friend in town, or to wrap presents while the kids sleep, rest is essential. Without proper rest, we can walk around frazzled and short-tempered becoming the opposite of fun.
So help yourself out by creating intentional space to rest your mind and your body. Whether it is taking a nap, going for a leisurely stroll, disconnecting from social media or taking a quiet bubble bath (if you can keep the kids occupied), make room for rest each day. For this to happen, we have to safeguard time in our schedules which allow for the type of rest we need. For example, if you receive an invitation from someone you really want to spend time with but you have been going all day, and you are exhausted, consider offering an alternative time to meet. This allows you the opportunity to still spend time with someone who matters while also being able to rest properly. Choosing to properly rest and maintain self-care can aid us in truly enjoying the holiday season.
Choosing to properly rest and maintain self-care can aid us in truly enjoying the holiday season. Click To Tweet
3. Reflect often
With all the demands that may come along with the holiday season, it can be easy to get caught up shuffling from one activity to the next rushing here and there leaving little time to enjoy the moment. In the midst of the whirlwind, we can choose to take time to breathe, reflect and remember the faithfulness of God. Purposefully decide to take charge of your day and make time to reflect on the beauty that surrounds you each day. When we take time to reflect, we can also identify those triggers that turn enjoying Christmas into experiencing stressmas.
Take a moment to identify what this season means to you. What matters? Who matters? Post it where you can see it on a regular basis to help keep you focused. Keep a gratitude log writing in it each night to help reflect on the day. Take time to remember the memories behind the ornaments on your tree. At dinnertime go around the table sharing one favorite Christmas memory. Whatever you decide to do to reflect, be intentional.
Stress during the holidays only robs us from our focus on celebrating the birth of Christ and the joy of spending time with our families. Click To TweetStress during the holidays only robs us from our focus on celebrating the birth of Christ and the joy of spending time with our families. Thankfully, we can make changes that allow us to embrace the spirit of Christmas.
How do you say “no” to stress during the Christmas season?
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Renee Theresa
Love these quotes and this inspiring post! Thanks!
Mamie L. Pack
Renee TheresaAww thanks Renee!
Mamie L. Pack
Renee TheresaThanks Renee!
momsbest10
I needed that reminder to take it easy this holiday season! It’s so easy to get caught up in the demands with a little one in school!
Mamie L. Pack
momsbest10Yes it is! How do you plan to enjoy the holidays with a busy schedule with your little one?
Rachael
Absolutely WONDERFUL advice to keep in mind over the holidays. This should be a time of splendor, not stress!
Mamie L. Pack
RachaelExactly Rachael! What do you do to keep stress away during the holidays?
Megan Fioto
These are great reminders for reducing stress during the holidays! I’m one to say yes to everything, especially at Christmas. Being mindful and putting my family’s needs first would definitely help make this season less stressful for me. Thanks for these tips!
Mamie L. Pack
Megan FiotoOh, I can relate Megan. Soooo, does that mean you are going to say a few more no’s this season?
Hope No Matter What
Megan FiotoI really like the part about taking time to reflect. Too often I can get caught up in all my “to dos” and forget to reflect on the why for the season: Jesus!
Stacie
The holidays are such a busy time! I plan to get as much rest as I can so that I can manage it all.
AishaAdams
I plan to do all these things. Rest and reflection is key at this time. Great advice- I am good at saying no.
MUAKimPorter
I will definitely rest during this holiday season. I’m pregnant and I usually do too much. This time I am on low restricted bedrest so I’m going to lie low.
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Abby
Getting good rest is so important
Mamie L. Pack
AbbyAbsolutely Abby!
Raisa Mia
I love this list, especially taking the time to sit back, reflect and cherish all the blessings that we have in front of us. Have a happy holiday & a great year end! x
Angelika
Great advice! The holidays stress me out so much! Especially Christmas shopping.
Monica
Great tips. I personally need to give myself time to rest. I definitely have a bad habit of feeling like I need to go from one thing to the next.
Mamie L. Pack
MonicaChoosing rest makes such a difference.
Cathy
Great idea to enjoy Christmas more than just gifts, food, and Santa. Remind ourselves to reflect and keep stress away 🙂
Mamie L. Pack
CathyAbsolutely Cathy!
Audrey
What wonderful tips for the holiday season and Christmas!
Mamie L. Pack
AudreyThank you!
Hot Mess Goes to Oz
Rest is on the top of my list!
Mamie L. Pack
Hot Mess Goes to OzRest is so vital.
Justine
It’s always very important to pace yourself during the holidays to be able to enjoy yourself and stay rested! Thank you for sharing.
Krystin Godfrey
Saying no is big for us this year, especially being in a pandemic.
Dara
Very good points! This is great advice!
Tiffany || Grace for your Chaos
respond wisely! love that so much
Rikki Ridgeway
I completely agree with lyou on reflecting. So important.
Mamie L. Pack
Rikki RidgewayThanks for reading Rikki!
stephany brown
These are all really great tips to enjoy the holidays! Thank you for sharing love!
Mamie L. Pack
stephany brownThank you for stopping by and reading.