4 Ways to Deal with the Holidays
Tis the season…for stress. The holidays are supposed to be a time of relaxation and bonding. But many people feel stressed over the holidays. Schedules get upended, tasks get added to your plate, and so much more. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to make managing the holidays more ‘ho ho ho’ and not ‘oh no!’
I’m Virginia-based school assembly performer Joe Romano. For the last 30 years, I’ve performed amazing and fun school assemblies in Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Washington DC, and more. Each month I post articles just like this to help busy parents and school administrators.
So, what can you do to make the holidays…less holiday-y? Quite a lot, it turns out. Let’s get started!
Dealing with the Holidays Tip #1: Say No
This is probably the most important tip in this article. During the holidays, there are a ton of additional tasks. Planning parties, helping out at your church, extra stuff at work, family get-togethers, and the list goes on and on. Many people overwork themselves, turning a supposedly joyful season into one big ball of exhaustion.
The solution? Learn to say no. There are only 24 hours in a day. And you should be resting and sleeping for eight of them! If you’re the kind of person who has trouble saying “no,” remember that you’re not the only one who suffers. Everyone in your household (including your children) feeds off your stress and exhaustion.
Know your limits and refuse to cross them. If someone pushes for that little bit of extra, remind them of your own responsibilities. And be honest with them. Tell them, “I have too much on my plate right now. I couldn’t give you my best, and you deserve the best.”
Dealing with the Holidays Tip #2: Eat Good Foods
It’s easy to let our eating habits slip[ during the holidays. After all, part of the fun is all those great foods, right? Maybe not. It’s one thing to treat yourself to the big family meals during the holidays. But that’s really only a few meals…or at least it should be. But setting the holiday meal plan aside, there are other meal concerns during the holidays.
Many of us run ourselves ragged by taking on too many extra tasks (see #1). This creates extra demands on our time. So what’s one of the first things many of us do? We start skipping meals. Or we grab a ‘quick something’ when we’re on the go. Swinging by a fast-food restaurant or grabbing a quick sandwich from a gas station isn’t doing our bodies any favors.
Skipping the added pounds we put on, remember those unhealthy snacks leave you feeling lethargic, undernourished, and less than your best. The result? You feel worse, adding to your stress levels. Putting yourself first is the only solution. And it’s not ‘selfish’ to put yourself first, no matter what you think. By eating the right foods throughout the day, you’re optimizing yourself to get through the holidays happier and healthier.
Dealing with the Holidays Tip #3: Have Realistic Expectations
Did you grow up watching holiday movies? Many of us did. Many family holiday movies paint the perfect holiday picture. Family disputes are settled, meals are perfect, and everyone is happy by the time the credits roll. But movies don’t reflect real life.
You want the holidays to be perfect. Everyone does. From the perfect family dinner to the perfect family gatherings, we want that perfect Hallmark holiday extravaganza. But it often doesn’t work out that way. And that’s okay!
Tell yourself you’ll accept whatever the holidays bring you. Acknowledge things won’t be perfect no matter how much you want them to be. Your everyday life has its normal ups and downs. Accidents happen, arguments start, and feelings get hurt. There is no reason to expect those things not to happen because of a certain date on the calendar.
Dealing with the Holidays Tip #4: It’s Okay to Have Feelings
This should come as a surprise to no one. But the holidays are a mess! So much gets added to our plates, we may see people we haven’t seen in years, and sometimes old wounds get reopened. Let yourself feel what you feel. Just because it’s the ‘holidays’ doesn’t mean you should feel and act perfect all the time.
Most importantly, give yourself the time you need to ‘power down’ at the end of the day. But don’t stop there. Give yourself moments to collect your thoughts and lower your stress throughout the day, too.
Fun School Assemblies for the Post-Holiday Blues
Kids often feel down after the holidays. Why not give them something fun and exciting to look forward to after the holidays? My fun and interactive assemblies will thrill your school’s students. And your school’s teachers will love how educational the shows are, too. Contact me today for more details.
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