Practical Tips for Reducing Stress this Holiday Season
The holidays are often pictured as a time of joy and relaxation, but for many, it can feel like a chaotic blur of tasks and sensory overload. Whether you simply feel overwhelmed by all of the holiday to-do’s, struggle with staying organized, or have ADHD, these tips can help you stay balanced, reduce stress, and enjoy more this holiday season!
1. Simplify Expectations: Focus on What Truly Matters
From Instagram to Pinterest, family traditions to societal expectations, it’s easy to get swept up in the idea of a “perfect” holiday. Whether it’s getting the decorations just right, hosting the perfect dinner, or buying the right gifts, chasing that image can lead to burnout.
Begin by defining what’s truly important to you and your loved ones during the holidays. Rather than trying to achieve an Instagram-worthy holiday season, focus on experiences and memories. Try a quick brain dump to list everything on your mind, then prioritize the activities that mean the most.
For example, if your family cherishes time spent together decorating cookies more than perfectly wrapped gifts, try focusing on that. Perhaps set aside a single day to bake and simplify your gift wrapping routine - we bet you’ll feel more relaxed and fulfilled!
2. Set Boundaries on Time & Energy
The holiday season brings a flood of social events, and overcommitting can lead to exhaustion. Practice setting boundaries. Decide in advance how many gatherings or parties you realistically want to attend and build in time for self-care and recovery in between. If attending multiple events in one weekend is too much, consider limiting it it one event per weekend and politely decline the rest - you’ll have more energy to participate without becoming overwhelmed! Relationships may even improve as a result.
3. Use Time-Blocking to Get Things Done
Holiday tasks can feel endless, especially if procrastination creeps in. To stay organized, try time blocking: schedule specific times for tasks like shopping, wrapping, or baking, and stick to them. Break tasks into manageable chunks and schedule them into your day. Incorporating buffer time between activities can prevent your day from becoming overwhelming.
Sarah, a working mom with ADHD, typically dreads holiday shopping because she always left it until the last minute and it felt chaotic. When she incorporated time-blocking into her routine, she scheduled multiple two-hour shopping trips spread over a couple of weeks.
Because the shopping appointments were clearly laid out on her calendar, she stuck to them. She avoided the last-minute shopping frenzy and freed up time to enjoy the holidays with her family and friends.
4. Create a Gift-Giving System
Buying gifts can be an executive function nightmare - deciding what to buy, keeping track of what’s been purchased, and staying within budget. The sheer number of decisions can cause immense overwhelm, leading to last-minute shopping and overspending.
A straightforward system can save you time, money, and stress. Start by making a simple list of people you’d like to buy gifts for, brainstorm ideas early, and track your purchases in a spreadsheet, list, or app. For convenience, consider online shopping to avoid crowded stores.
5. Use the “Two-Minute Rule” to Beat Procrastination
Procrastination is common during the busy holiday season, especially with all of the added tasks. If you find yourself putting things off, the “Two-Minute Rule” can help: if a task takes two minutes or less, do it right away. For larger jobs, break them down into smaller steps. Wrapping gifts? Sometimes starting is the hardest part - start with just one or two, and you’ll find it easier to keep going.
6. Delegate and Ask for Help
Handling everything yourself can quickly lead to burnout. Delegate tasks to family or friends and use a shared checklist to make it easy for others to help out. If delegating feels uncomfortable, reframe it as a way to involve loved ones in the holiday preparations, lightening your load and making the process more enjoyable for everyone.
7. Stick to Select Routines to Stay Grounded
Do you feel like your usual structure dissolves over the holidays, making you feel anxious and scattered? The hustle and bustle of the holidays often disrupts routines. Try keeping a few simple habits - like a morning coffee ritual or a daily walk - to maintain a sense or normalcy. Sticking to your routines help ground you and make it easier to tackle holiday demands with calm and focus.
8. Plan Ahead When it Comes to Stress Management
Holiday gatherings often come with loud music, bright lights, and crowds, which can be overstimulating. If you’re sensitive to these elements, prepare by creating a quiet retreat spot, such as a separate room to step into during parties. Bring sensory tools such as noise-canceling headphones or a favorite fidget item to help you stay grounded and reduce overwhelm.
Emotional highs and lows are common during the holidays too, arising from anything from family dynamics to financial stress. Create a plan to manage these emotions: try deep breathing exercises, use mindfulness apps, or talk with a friend if things feel overwhelming. Having coping strategies at the ready helps keep your stress in check.
With some planning and practical strategies, you can create a holiday season that brings joy without the overwhelm! Remember, it’s okay to simplify, delegate, and focus on what matters most to you.
Our productivity coaches offer expertise in productivity consulting, ADHD coaching, and productivity tools. Get started today by scheduling a complimentary 15-minute introductory call to learn more about productivity consulting and how our team can help you manage tasks more efficiently and stay on track to meet your goals this holiday season!
Hi there! I’m Kristen, and I’m a professional organizer and owner of Simplified Professional Organizing in Pittsburgh, PA. My team and I absolutely love helping people simplify their homes, businesses, and day-to-day lives. No matter where you’re at in your organizing journey, we’re here to help.
Click HERE to schedule a complimentary consultation to talk about how we can help you eliminate the overwhelm and reclaim space in life for what truly matters most!
What expert tips and exclusive resources delivered to your inbox?
