Does thinking about the holidays stress you out? You’re not alone.
Fortunately, the University of Florida has come up with this list of 6 things you can do to mitigate stressors and make the holidays a fun and relaxing time.
1. Plan ahead as a group.
Stressful arguments and hurt feelings about where, when and how to spend holiday time can be avoided by planning ahead and including as many people possible in the discussion.
2. Manage expectations.
Keep in mind the goal of the holidays should be to enjoy your time together. Avoid trying to cram in too many activities or make every meal and get together perfect.
In fact, in a fascinating study from 2002, a pair of researchers asked over a hundred people about their stress and happiness during the holidays, including questions about consumption behavior. They found that family-based or religious celebrations tended to result in the greatest levels of happiness, as opposed to materialist consumption practices.
3. Head off personal conflicts.
Agree to take hot-button issues – political or otherwise – off the table. Keep in mind that you can love someone even if you don’t like their views on a particular topic.
4. If conflicts do arise, stay calm.
If you or other family members get into a fight, do what you can do to keep or regain everyone’s composure before moving forward. That may mean removing yourself from the situation for a while by going for a walk or engaging in some other soothing activity. When you come back, it will be easier to see one another’s points of view and come up with creative solutions and compromises.
5. Focus on the positives.
Inevitably, something will go wrong with our holiday plans – a flight will be delayed, cookies will get burnt, a gift will be out of stock. Don’t let these hiccups overshadow the positive aspects of the holidays, such as spending quality time with family and friends.
In fact, according to Dr. Robert Emmons, who studies the emotion of gratitude, cultivating this feeling can promote healthy relationships and psychological, or even physical, health. He praises the notion of gratitude as a “relationship-strengthening emotion,” explaining how it helps connect individuals and affirm our support for each other. Dr. Emmons’ research has shown that the regular expression of gratitude reduces feelings of social isolation and promotes forgiveness, generosity, and compassion.
6. Remember to take care of yourself.
It’s easy to let healthy habits slide during the holidays, indulging in more than usual, staying up later or dropping our exercise routines. However, taking care of your physical and mental health can be an antidote to holiday strain.