The holidays are here; for most, they bring a unique mix of fun, joy, stress, excitement, and just plain crazy for a few weeks. The holidays can be both the best and worst times of the year. Even though you cannot control everything that happens during this busy time, there are many actions you can take to control your reactions and allow you to cope with unexpected challenges.

The holidays are a time to enjoy family and friends. Remaining calm during this time of year may take a little work, but taking care of your health and truly enjoying the holidays is possible if you can keep your stress level under control.

Here are the best tips for staying calm during the holidays:

Plan Ahead

Put holiday activities on your calendar as they come in. Seeing what’s coming up on a calendar can help you plan your time and keep you from being too busy.

Make a plan and create to-do lists. When you write everything down, the list in your head seems easier to handle. Don’t put things off until the last minute, either. Give yourself peace of mind by making sure that everything is done.

Get Outside and Move

Many people have the habit of putting off engaging in physical activity because they believe that they do not have the time to do so. So be sure you carve out some outside time throughout the holidays.

Try going for a walk or jog first thing in the morning and later take a stroll in the afternoon. Regardless of the activity, take a breather and go outside. This is one of those tips that is too easily set aside. Accomplish it by doing it.

Draw Boundaries

During the holidays, it’s typical for people to get together with many of their loved ones. Most of the time, these events are peaceful, but most of us have a loved one that is more dramatic than most. Therefore, creating reasonable limits is necessary to keep your sanity over the holidays.

To begin, make it very obvious when you want more space. Then, if anything gets too much for you to handle, take a few seconds to gather your composure and remove yourself from the discussion. There are instances when all that is required to calm down is a short period of alone time.

Make Time for Your Family a Priority

Suppose you are required to work throughout the holiday season. Schedule time to spend with your family and friends. Make it a point to visit, sit down and eat, or watch a holiday movie or football game with them. Scheduling time to spend with your family and friends will lessen your guilt of having to work over the holidays. You show them how much you care by making an effort and being purposeful about spending time with your loved ones.

Don’t Forget About Yourself

The holidays emphasize giving to others, but you should pay attention to the importance of giving to yourself. This time of year may be emotionally and physically draining, so give yourself plenty of opportunities to rest and unwind.

You are not obligated to respond with a “yes” to every invitation to an activity or contribution request. Because the flu season is upon us, it is imperative that you stay hydrated by consuming plenty of water and that you get enough sleep each night. Make sure you schedule some time off for yourself during the holidays.

Final Thoughts
This article shares some simple activities that you can use to remain calm and enjoy the holidays. By planning to experience a little crazy among all the holiday excitement and fun, you can use these tips to have a wonderful holiday season. Happy Holidays!