De-stress your Christmas
If you’ve visited any shopping mall during the holiday season, you’ve probably heard Frank Sinatra repeatedly singing to you to Have yourself a merry, little Christmas. The thing is that although Christmas (or any holiday you’re celebrating in the December season) definitely can be “merry,” it’s not a “little” set of events and can bring along a noticeable amount of stress. The main reasons for that can lie in the time and financial pressure from preparing the festivities and buying gifts, family tensions, or on the contrary - spending the holidays in solitude and isolation, experiencing grief after losing a loved one, and the general reflecting on the passing year. Additional issues may arise for individuals who work in the IT industry, as it can often be challenging to balance demanding work schedules with the added pressures of the holiday season. In this article, we’ll present some ways to experience the holiday season in a less stressful, more relaxed manner that will allow you to enjoy yourself during the festivities.
It’s the most overwhelming time of the year… Plan ahead!
Let’s begin before the holiday craze actually kicks off - even a few months before Christmas. Starting early and planning ahead is a great way to reduce stress and time pressure later. Arranging for family festivities, deciding what budget to spend on the gifts and other expenses, choosing the meals to make, and the events you’ll attend allows you to spread in time all the things that need to be done and avoid doing a lot in a hurry. Taking a slower run-up to the Christmas season can reduce a significant amount of anxiety-inducing situations. It can also free up plenty of time for you to relax and enjoy the Christmas season instead of rushing to and through it. The earlier you set a general plan and a rough draft of a budget, the easier it will be to find some “wiggle room” (both in terms of time and money) a week or two before the holiday. With most errands run beforehand, you’ll be able to finish the preparations comfortably.
Do they know it’s Christmas? Make sure to inform the people at work.
Making a plan can be equally beneficial in the professional area - you need to think about what needs to be done at work and home. Make a list of everything you need to do, and prioritize the tasks - this will help you stay organized and focused and make it easier to manage your time. It’s also a good idea to let your colleagues and managers know that you may need extra support during this busy time. They may be able to help you with some of your tasks or may be able to give you some flexibility with your work schedule. Furthermore, make sure to set boundaries between your work and personal life. You may need to turn off your phone or email after a particular time or set aside specific times for work and private tasks. Doing so will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and give you time to focus on the most important things. Lastly, take breaks. It's essential to take breaks from work to recharge and refresh. This will help you stay focused and avoid burnout. It’s vital that you take care of yourself, regenerate, and actually enjoy the holidays!
I’ll be home for Christmas, and I hope we won’t yell at each other.
The holiday season often means meeting with relatives and participating in immediate and extended family events. If you anticipate any particular tensions or conflicts in the family gathering scenario, spend some time thinking about your potential reactions, prepare emotionally, and most importantly, set boundaries and decide what you will and will not tolerate. It’s vital that you put your mental well-being first - remember that you can leave at any moment and that you don’t owe enduring something that makes you upset or uncomfortable to anyone, even your relatives. Additionally, you can try (but don’t have to!) to alleviate the tension. For instance, avoid known triggers - if politics is a touchy subject in your family, don't talk about it, and in case someone brings up the topic, use distraction and quickly move on to something else to talk about. Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or focusing on your breath. Furthermore, family members involved in after-dinner activities (like board games or a walk to a nearby park) are less likely to get into arguments. You can plan something to do as a group after the meal and encourage others to get involved.
All I Want For Christmas is to be able to enjoy it.
As the holiday season approaches, it's important to remember that it can be a busy and overwhelming time for many of us. To reduce stress and enjoy the season, it's a good idea to create a game plan beforehand and take care of yourself. Start planning early to avoid last-minute stress, set boundaries with family and work, and make time to relax and recharge. Additionally, reach out for support if you need it. Feeling overwhelmed or stressed is not a sign of weakness, so don't hesitate to contact friends, family, or a mental health professional for assistance. Taking care of your mental health during this busy time of year is essential.
With these steps, you can take off some of the pressure and actually have yourself a merry little Christmas.
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