It’s called the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season can also be one of the most stressful, especially when planners may be pulling holiday events together for their clients.
According to a past survey by the American Heart Association, 63 percent of Americans say the holiday season is more stressful than tax season, and it can take weeks to recover. Yet, 71 percent also say their biggest regret is that they didn’t take time to relax and enjoy the season.
It could be that you’re multi-tasking your way into “Bah, Humbug!” territory; and that the very qualities that have led to your success—being a ‘doer’ with a long to-do list—are now weighing you down. It may be time to let go of the dream of ever seeing the bottom of that to-do list.
Here are a few tips to help you unplug and make the most of the holidays this year, keeping seasonal treats—rather than more work—on your plate.
- Make Space for Yourself
People who are at risk of burnout often try to be everything to everyone except themselves, believing the fiction that it’s possible to be perfect at doing multiple full-time jobs at the same time.
If that’s happening to you, the calendar can be your friend; but only if you make space for more facets of your life. Don’t just pencil or type in tasks—put things like “take a walk, 2pm” or “have a cup of hot chocolate, 4pm” on your daily agenda. Then stick to that calendar, as you would any other day.
- Set Boundaries
We hear this a lot, but what exactly does “setting boundaries” mean? Boundaries are the limits or guidelines you set within your relationships—both personal and professional—that define what is acceptable and reasonable to you, and no one else. When your boundaries are defined, you’ll know when someone or something has crossed a line, and you can take action that benefits your own mental and emotional health.
It’s impossible to please everyone and (believe it or not) you’re not responsible for everyone else’s feelings. At the root of boundary setting is learning to be comfortable with others being disappointed. It may sound counterintuitive, but if you feel uncomfortable saying no to an unreasonable task, it’s probably the right thing to do.
- Let Go of Non-Obligations
The rush and bustle of the season create a sense of urgency that may feel real but big-picture wise, likely isn’t.
If you really think about it, the things you assume are requirements and obligations often are optional. You might be getting wrapped up in what things need to look like, what we imagine other people are doing, and what we assume we should be doing. Instead of asking yourself “what should I do”—which leads to feeling of guilt—ask “what do I choose to do?”
Try it on for size. It could be a great fit for you.
- Have a Plan
Finally, ask yourself, how do you want to feel this season? What choices, people, places, experiences and activities will encourage that feeling, and what do you need for this to happen?
Most burned out or busy people have not asked themselves, what do I need, because they’re too busy worrying about everything else. So for them, the holidays are something to “get through,” not enjoy.
Still, the last thing you need is to feel pressured by this article to put on a happy face. So, baby steps. Start by implementing a few ideas mentioned here and see where things go from there.
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