Help for the Holidays: How to Stress Less
For most, the holidays are a special time of year to get together with friends, family and other loved ones to celebrate the festive season. While Christmas is typically a pleasant celebration in which memories can be made, traditions can be passed down and quality time can be spent with one another, the holidays can also bring about plenty of stress, conflict and frustration.
Perhaps you’re worried about how your child might behave over the holidays, or maybe you’re more worried about spending time with a notorious relative who is always keen to share their unwanted opinions and critiques. Regardless of what might be weighing you down, if holiday stress is playing on your mind just a little too much, read ahead for a few top reminders before heading off to your next family gathering.
- Holidays DO NOT need to be perfect.
Realistically, your kids will probably act a little crazier during the holidays. They have a change in schedule, no school, more time to spend with their friends and make plans, exciting food to look forward to and a bigger audience than usual… All of these things play a bigger role than you might first think.
While it is certainly in your best interest to continue setting rules and expectations over the holidays, remind yourself that “perfect” behaviour is less likely to exist – But really, is it ever any different? Kids are kids and holidays are exciting. Embrace their joyful, happy moods while hey last!
- Be prepared to give a little extra space.
Christmas means one unfortunate thing for a lot of families… Conflict. Are you prepared to invest your emotional energy into a fight with your sister who always seems to be critical about your child’s behaviour? Are you likely to be scolded by your mother in law about something that has absolutely no relevance to her life whatsoever?
If so, take a deep breath and give yourself a moment of clarity before jumping into any unnecessary arguments. You don’t have to respond to any nit-picking comments or annoying critiques. Don’t invite bad energy in. What might seem like blatant disrespect to you might be another family member’s way of reaching out and trying to help. When these moments arise, simply ask yourself “Is this worth getting upset over?” If not, give the situation a little bit of space and reassess in 10 minutes.
- Focus on what is most important to you.
If you could have just one thing this holiday season, what would it be?
Is it quality time with your kids? Making new memories? Strengthening old traditions? Spreading the Christmas cheer?
Give yourself permission to focus on the most important pieces of the puzzle and let the other, less-important things fall to the wayside for a few days. After the rush and stress of holiday get-togethers is over, I assure you that you’ll be glad you did. Simply focus your energy towards the gratitude, love and appreciation you have for those you are spending your time with this Christmas. This in itself will take away so much negativity and bring about positive thoughts, actions and plenty of amazing moments.
To all my lovely clients and readers, I wish you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years! Thank you all for making 2018 such a positive and memorable year. I look forward to both meeting and reconnecting with you in the New Year and hope to see you soon to create some gorgeous photographs to cherish for a lifetime.
Until then,
Em
Xo
