Articles & Press Releases

Fighting Holiday Stress
By Janice Byer, CCVA, MVA
Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services

Holidays, and just the thought of them, bring to mind joyful times spent with family and friends. It can also conger up thoughts of all the added work and stress that can occur.

The holidays should be a season filled with happy thoughts, wonderful company and lasting memories. But for most of us, it is also a season where we have extra things to do which sometimes results in that much-dreaded additional stress.

Let’s see if we can’t come up with some ideas to help reduce some of that added stress and really enjoy this wonderful time of year.

First, get plenty of rest! This is the number one way to help alleviate stress. With all the special events that happen at this time of year and all the added tasks that we have to worry about accomplishing, we sometimes forget to get a significant amount of rest. This can be very damaging to our health as well as our moods (in my case, anyway…I’m a bear if I don’t get enough sleep). So, be careful and remember your own well being when you are remembering others.

Next, be prepared for all the extra work. We all know this time of year is coming (unless of course you are living in a cave on some far-off desert island) so why does it always seem like everything is left till the last minute? By planning ahead, the important tasks that come with the season can get done on a schedule and spread out to help minimize that feeling that we sometimes get that we won’t get everything accomplished.

And of course, stick to your budget. Remember that your wallet is not an endless pit and buying on the credit card does not mean that you are rich. I know it is so hard when you are out shopping and see all the great new gadgets and stuff. But, as the old saying goes, it’s the thought that counts, especially at this time of year. In our household, we have decided to be ‘crafty’ this year and my daughter and I are making gifts that we know will be appreciated (especially by the grandma and grandpa).

Don’t forget to let someone else help. For most of us, we will be spending time with others during the holidays so why are we responsible to do everything to make the day special? If you are doing the entertaining at your house this year, be sure to have everyone that is coming contribute to the day. You will be doing all the main course cooking so why not have the others bring the desserts, have the kids make the placemats or centerpiece for the table, and make sure everyone does their part in the cleanup so you can all sit down and undo the top button of your pants together J.

And, last but not least, be careful not to over the holiday cheer. This is the time of year when we throw all of our inhibitions, and some of our common sense, out the window. Heck!… it’s Christmas. Time to live it up. But remember, all things in moderation. Overeating and drinking can make us have feelings of regret after the fact (and sometimes during). And of course, be sure to have a designated driver if you plan on partaking in ‘holiday cheer’.

Oh, and on a side note here, if you are a busy business professional who just can’t seem to get all the work done before the holidays, why not consider outsourcing some of it to a Virtual Assistant or concierge service. 

Christmas and the days leading up to it should not be a time that we dread. It can get hectic, I’m not denying that, but it is also the most wonderful time of the year for many people. By thinking ahead and delegating some of the tasks, everyone can enjoy the ‘big day’, and the days before and after.