Overall the holiday season is full of excitement, smiles, and presents. The cheer in the air is undeniable, but for many it is also stressful.
This stress can come from a number of factors: money, travel, work, and high expectations. One study in 2021 found that 45% of adults in the US would rather skip the holidays than deal with the physical toll it takes. Another study found that 56% feel the financial stress of buying presents. That same study also revealed that 67% of adults admit to placing unnecessary stress on themselves for a perfect Christmas Season.
Here are a few tips to help:
- Identify the stressor and know what is important.
- Set a budget for what you can realistically spend.
- Ignore any drama and be the bigger person.
- Have a plan, often we get caught in the mess of trying to please everyone.
- Take a break when it all gets to be too much, go for a walk and take a few minutes to breath.
- Don’t forget to take care of yourself: eat, drink water, and get some sleep.
- Most of all enjoy yourself! Enjoy time with family and friends. Don’t forget to laugh, smile, and enjoy the cheer.
“In those days a decree went out from Cesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is also called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:1-7, ESV
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