The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year. However, over 40% of people report being MORE stressed during the holiday season compared to any other time of year.
What can we do to ensure that we’re protecting the joy of the season, making meaningful connections and preparing for a successful New Year? We’ve compiled some tips to help support your well-being as you navigate this year’s holiday season.
Balance between activity and recovery
You can maximize enjoyment during the holiday season AND protect your future financial goals at the same time! You'll be starting the New Year with hope and optimism as the countdown begins to midnight.
Manage financial stressors
While enjoying the holiday season is always the goal this time of year, it's important we don't neglect our finances and future goals. The last thing we want to do is to start the new year with even more financial stress and debt.
Schedule, schedule, schedule
Make managing busy schedules easier by sharing a family calendar. When you’re working from the same calendar, you can avoid missing events, share the to-do load, and reduce stress.
Divide up time-based tasks in a way that makes sense
Plan out shopping for you and other family members. Create an itinerary and shopping routes that can help you save time, gas, money, and energy. For example, if you drive by a grocery store on your way home from work, take a stop or do curbside pickup.
Physical activity
By staying on top of your physical well-being, you can help keep other aspects of your well-being in shape as well during this busy season. If you feel down physically and mentally, it can lead to more trips to the doctor and medical expenses.
You don’t have to allot time for a rigorous workout at the gym. Even a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy holidays lights can be a physical and mental reset (and it’s a very budget-friendly way to spend time with friends and family too!)
Gratitude
Gratitude makes a difference in the way you feel and the way you interact with the world around you. A Berkeley study found that students who wrote gratitude letters on a weekly basis reported significantly better mental health. When you focus on the good things in your life, you’re also:
- Less likely to make comparisons with others
- Less likely to make impulse purchases
- More likely to mindfully enjoy special moments with family and friends
- More likely to use your money toward things that matter to you (charitable contributions, thoughtful gifts for those you love, etc.)
The holidays can be equal parts hectic and happy, fun and frustrating, exhausting and exhilarating. By following some of the tips we shared, it's possible to make the most of the holidays while being fully charged for the challenges of a New Year.
