I just typed “Holiday Stress” into Pinterest and was instantly flooded with headlines like, “Five self care tips to reduce holiday stress”, “What are the negative effects of holiday stress?”, and “Five tips to ensure a stress free holiday season.” So guys, it’s official. The holidays are stressful. However, if you’ve read about Gratitude Prompts for When Life is Hard, then you might know how I like to handle stress. So let’s talk about how to reduce stress during the holidays.
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My Experience with Stress During the Holidays
In a world where it seems like stores are rolling out the Christmas decorations on Labor Day Weekend, the holidays are kind of a big deal. Amiright? And, like I said, they pretty much last a half year. What does that mean? It means that if you’re stressing about the holidays, then you are stressed nearly half of your life! SAY WHAT?
I can absolutely relate to the holidays being stressful. Growing up, I wasn’t much of a holidays fan. See, I came from a divorced family with all your typical family drama. Coming together on the holidays wasn’t the most pleasant time. Therefore, I stressed about it. However, as I’ve gotten older, my main goal of the holidays is to give my daughter a relaxing and laid back experience. One that she can look back on with fondness and sentiment. That’s why avoiding stress is top of mind, so that I can stay calm, cool, and collected, and act like I have it all together 😉 The things we do for our kids, right?
How to Reduce Stress During the Holidays
I wanted to share with you my number one tip for reducing stress and improving your life, not only during the stress of the holidays, but throughout the entire year!
You may already know from past blogs, but I had postpartum depression and a child that was not only colicky, but seemed like she didn’t really love life all that much. It was a struggle. I battled with the depression up until about when she turned two.
But friends, things have changed a lot since then. You see, I found a daily practice that changed my freaking life. Gratitude Journaling.
How to Reduce Stress During the Holidays With Gratitude
The past five years have been a complete game changer for me. I changed the relationship I had with my daughter. I’ve changed the the trajectory of my life and my business, and have become a completely different person. And I have gratitude journaling to thank for that.
See, gratitude is recognizing the good that is all around us, even when times are hard. Even when you think you will not survive the holidays because you can’t afford to pay off your credit card. If you aren’t going to be able to give as big of a gift as you’d like. And yes, even if you have to hang out with that dreaded family member you hate.
All We Have is Now This Holiday Season
So many times we are living in a crappy past (that no longer exists), or a nervous future (that may never exist). Because of that, we have to live in the absolute NOW. This moment right now, that even as you read it is passing you by. Where are you right now? Can you give thanks for this very moment?
As my mentor likes to say, “you are where your attention is.” What does that mean exactly? Well, are you focused on the debt that’s racking up on your credit card this holiday season? Or are you focused on the fact that you get to spend time with those that you love. That your kids are growing up right before your eyes and the only thing you have is the NOW. As someone who lost my mom just before the holidays, I can absolutely tell you that time is so fleeting. Enjoy what you have while you have it.
Living in the Present During the Holidays
Gratitude Journaling helps you live in the present. It helps you recognize that there is so much to be grateful for NOW. All the cheesy sayings you’ve heard are true. For example, “What you focus on expands”, and “the more you celebrate, the more there is to celebrate”.
Just read about The Frequency of Gratitude and understand that the more you do this, the more you draw what you want toward you.
And yes, there are so many things I wish were happening in my life. Yet, at the same time, I’ve learned how to be satisfied with exactly where I am.
That is where you find peace. And isn’t that the reason for the season? One of my favorite songs from my childhood was a song that Vince Gil sang with his son… “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” How does it begin with you? It begins inside of you. Be grateful for what you have during the holidays, instead of focusing on what you don’t have. You will be at peace, and begin to see that “being the change you wish to see in the world” really does begin with you.
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Let’s Connect
Lastly, thank you so much for taking the time to read about how to reduce stress during the holidays! I hope this gives you some ideas about not only how to get through the holiday season, but also throughout the rest of the year! I love to help you celebrate life through party decorations and personal development! But above all, I’d love to connect with you. Reach out to me on Instagram and let’s chat. You can also get started on celebrating your life with your FREE gratitude journal printable or by subscribing to my podcast, The Celebration Effect Podcast! I can’t wait to connect with you more.
xox
Lindsay
