Crunch time is here! With December 25th quickly approaching, the final countdown is on and tensions are rising. Yes, some of you are sitting there smugly thinking about how you’re almost completely done with all of your Christmas shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, etc. BUT for most of us, we are juggling a list in our heads and are scrambling to figure out what in the world to get the kids’ teacher this year and wondering how we will possibly have enough time to get it all done. Breathe. Step back and look at the big picture. This is all supposed to be fun. A season of celebration and joy. We get so caught up in the prep that we miss it sometimes. We rounded up some great tips on managing the holiday stress so you can really embrace the awesome season we’re in and your loved ones, too.

Make a budget and stick to it. Money is one of the major stressors during the holidays. Don’t dig yourself into a hole by overspending. A thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be expensive. If money is tight, suggest a family gift exchange with a spending limit.

Create new traditions. Stressed out by the usual festivities? Try something different. Instead of cooking a huge meal on your own, make it a potluck. Ask adults to bring gag gifts or have a “white elephant” or used book gift exchange. Attend a local holiday concert, walk the neighborhood to look at holiday lights, or go sledding.

Beware of unhealthy stress relievers. Holiday stress causes some people to fall into bad habits such as smoking, drinking, or eating too much. Think about any unhealthy habits you’re prone to and better ways to handle stress.

Make time for your health. In the holiday rush, don’t let your well-being fall by the wayside. Try to stay on your normal sleep schedule and get regular exercise. If you can’t find a 30-minute chunk of time for exercise, break it up into three 10-minute sessions spread through the day.

Accept reality. Don’t expect perfect decorations, a perfect meal, or perfect people. Try to go with the flow and enjoy what you have. Pinterest can make us all feel less-than-good-enough but don’t let it!

Spread love & joy. Focus on what the season is all about, like doing good deeds for others. Be careful to not overload your schedule so that you are spread too thin to do some of these. Brainstorm about how you can brighten someone’s day and it will make you feel good in the process!

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Belladerm Medspa! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Source: http://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/stress/holiday-stress/coping-with-holiday-stress

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