The holiday season is almost here. Many are getting ready to celebrate by attending get-togethers, exchanging gifts, and more. Yet, along with excitement and joy, holiday stress is also common.

Holiday stress comes from many sources and affects people differently. It impacts those struggling financially, those grieving, and many others. Finding practical solutions to manage stress this season isn’t only ideal – it’s essential.

1) Grant Yourself Grace

Being extremely hard on ourselves is common, especially during this time of year. What are your must-haves for a successful holiday? Flawless desserts, overjoyed reactions to every gift, a spotless home? The pressure we put on ourselves can create unnecessary stress and anxiety.

One way to grant yourself grace is by acknowledging the lack of control we truly possess. As you adjust your personal standards, it can reduce feelings of holiday stress.

For example, you may strive for every gift you give to spark an overjoyed reaction. This can easily turn the fun of shopping into a burden. While we can take a guess about someone’s response, we can’t be certain. Granting yourself grace is knowing you did your best even if things don’t go as hoped.

One thing you can control, however, is how you define success. Setting smaller, more attainable goals makes stress easier to manage. For instance, focus on finding one gift for each family member that elicits joy.

In accepting things that are imperfect, we also grant ourselves grace. Imagine smudging frosting while decorating a dessert. Do you see the dessert as ruined? Of course, it is understandable to be frustrated, disappointed, or even embarrassed. Yet, the desire for perfection can cause extreme holiday stress.

The truth is that things that are less than perfect can still be good. In this case, a dessert with a decorating mistake will be just as delicious as one without.

2)  Slow Down for Stress Relief

For many, hustle and bustle is a natural (and exciting) part of the holiday season. With shopping, cooking and baking, parties, and more, there is no shortage of things to do. While many enjoy this pace, it can easily cause overwhelm. 

Some may feel overbooked, or just not happy as they usually are this time of year. Acknowledging your feelings is an important step for handling holiday stress. If you are a parent of a young child, it is essential to think about their limits as well. Set realistic expectations for celebrating for yourself and your family, and place boundaries. Stand firm on approaching the holidays at a pace that is doable for you and yours.

Guilt and fear of missing out are common during the holiday season, even in difficult times. Whether grieving, overwhelmed, or tired, it is more than okay to protect your peace. There is no need to feel guilty for declining an invite or not being in the holiday spirit. While some thrive on always having things to do, others need more time to decompress.

Choosing to be less busy doesn’t mean having a less than joyful holiday season. The more intentional you are about the holidays, the better time you and your family may have. 

There are many ways to celebrate that don’t require much planning and won’t worsen holiday stress. Consider listening to holiday music, watching holiday movies, or baking a treat. These ideas can also be great for building stronger family connections.

3) Offload Holiday Stress By Accepting Help

 No matter what is overwhelming you, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Many adults often try to handle even the hardest things themselves. This is true even when others ask if they need help directly. However, refusing help even with holiday stress can make it harder to handle. 

In some cases, shame keeps people from asking for or accepting the help they need. However, asking for support is actually a sign of strength. This is because you acknowledge you were not created to handle everything on your own. Accepting support can also be freeing as it allows you to enjoy the season, which you also deserve to do. 

Ways to cope with holiday stress include: 

• Asking a friend if they can babysit while you shop
• Getting help wrapping gifts
• Saying yes to family members who offer to make something for a holiday meal

You can also get help by letting your children get involved in decorating or baking. While they might not do things as you would, it allows them to take responsibility and feel pride. This may mean a mess, needing to slow down, and things not working out exactly as you pictured. Yet, it has the potential to create lasting memories and new family traditions.

4) Reduce Financial Anxiety with Budget-Friendly Options

Holiday stress isn’t only caused by personal expectations, or having a busy schedule. It can also come when you realize you don’t have the money needed to afford the holidays comfortably. This can be hard especially when trying to create magical memories for children.

However, creating fun moments during this time of year doesn’t have to break the bank. Look into free or low-cost community events through your local park district. You can also attend a holiday service at your local church, or view neighborhood lights at no cost. 

There are also many creative, easy ways to ease financial stress but have fun at home. One idea is to have your children make their own greeting cards to send to family and friends. This can keep children entertained, encourages gratitude, and is a very thoughtful gesture. 

Making time for simple family activities can also provide holiday stress relief. The internet has free resources with seasonal craft ideas, coloring pages, and more. Simply gather the needed supplies, turn on some festive music, and enjoy the time together.

For those who can’t afford the price of a special holiday meal on their own, there are options. Start by exploring what your local community offers. Take time to look up food banks nearby. There are many that collect supplies to help with holiday dinners. If putting gifts under the tree for your children is the source of your holiday stress, you’re in luck. Two programs that can possibly help include The Salvation Army‘s Angel Tree Program and the USPS Operation Santa Program.

5) Manage Holiday Stress by Volunteering

It is normal to focus on the negative or what’s lacking in our lives. During the holiday season, we may be sad about what dishes weren’t at the table on Thanksgiving. Or, we may find ourselves disappointed about the gifts we didn’t receive at Christmas.

Especially in times like these, it is important to focus on what the holiday season is truly about. It is a time for giving and being grateful for how blessed we are. This change in focus can ease the holiday stress that comes from having high standards.

Volunteering can encourage a mindset shift among you and your loved ones. It is a great way for everyone to truly understand how fortunate they are. It’s easy to get distracted during this time of year and focus only on our own lives. However, there are others much less fortunate struggling this time of year.

Taking time to volunteer can improve your mental health in many ways. In fact, it can be a source of stress relief for families. Consider volunteering at a toy drive, donating to a food pantry, or visiting a senior home. Volunteering is a great way to spread joy in your community. It can also become a meaningful family tradition. 

If you experience anxiety when you think about “the most wonderful time of the year”, you are not alone. While holiday stress cannot be completely eliminated, it can be managed. Working to manage stress is essential for more than just surviving the holidays. It is essential for nurturing your joy.