3 Questions To Ask Yourself For A Less Stressful Holiday Season

“The Holidays.” Words that probably fill you with a mixture of excitement, exhaustion, grief, love and lots of other emotions. Each year I approach the holidays with hopes of keeping things meaningful, beautiful and simple. And each year I struggle to let go of some things, while at the same time, do more of what will fill my cup.

Much of the time, the burden of keeping it all running, preparing everything, being present and enjoying the moment…it all starts feeling overwhelming. If there’s one “tradition” that needs to get thrown out this year, it’s the “do all the things perfectly” tradition! Let’s ditch it together, and start making some baby steps to more peace, more energy and less stress. Read on for three questions I’m asking myself this December to help keep my heart in a place of gratitude and my health moving forward instead of taking steps backwards.

Question #1: What is it that causes me the most stress this time of year?

Have any of us really stopped to ask ourselves this question? I sure haven’t. In the past, I would let the stress build up and have this vague, uncomfortable sense that “everything” is overwhelming. It’s so important to name the circumstance (or circumstances!) so that we can address it head on. Sometimes, even simply naming it helps ease the stress.

Right now, pause and consider this question. Is it family gatherings? Getting the shopping done? Juggling all the extra events on the calendar? Managing how you eat amid the parties and festivities?

It probably didn’t take long for at least one thing to come to mind. Now, beyond simply naming it, I invite you to consider how much of this stress is based in fact and what is perception. For example, perhaps you have a food allergy or intolerance and parties where you aren’t sure what will be available to eat are stressful. Once you’ve RSVP’d, the parties are a fact, but you can still shift your perception and reduce the stress. Instead of saying “I have to go to this party tomorrow and I have no idea what I’ll be able to eat.” you can say “I get to go to this party tomorrow and I’m going to make sure I eat something at home first or pack a snack so I know I’ll have a backup.” Using “get to” instead of “have to” is a simple yet powerful shift that can go a long way in reducing the stress we feel around certain situations.

No matter what we do, some parts of the holidays are going to feel full, overwhelming or stressful. As you name your stress and start to shift your mindset, remember that you aren’t in this alone. Whatever it is that causes you the most stress this time of year, give it to Jesus. Invite Him to be with you in the thick of it and to help you through it.

Question #2: What do I need to avoid?

Extravagance. Jealousy. Comparison. Greed. Compulsion. Over-scheduling. The holidays can be prime territory for shame, blame and all sorts of ugly characteristics. Do you struggle to stay within your shopping budget this time of year? Do you over-commit yourself and keep your calendar so full you don’t have time to think?

Pause a moment and consider this second question. Maybe this year you need to avoid that one party where you know you’ll be tempted to over-indulge. Maybe you need to avoid making as many cookies as you usually do because you need one or two nights a week to relax with your spouse, hang out with a friend, or read a good book. Maybe you decide that this is the year you cut back on a couple of gifts and instead donate that money to someone in need. Maybe you stay off social media so you aren’t constantly comparing your holiday celebrations to others.

There are plenty of things that make the holidays wonderful and beautiful. I’m not advocating for shutting down and hiding from the world. We are a hopeful, expectant and celebrating people! Use this second question to examine what may need to be pruned away so that you can more fully grow and flourish where God has you planted.

Question #3: How will I nourish myself in body, mind and spirit?

This is a big one. The holidays are a time when many people relax the routines they’ve built up over the course of the year. I’m certainly not here to shame you for enjoying yourself and celebrating with family and friends. What I want to help you do is find ways to protect your peace, your health, and your happiness. I want to encourage you to prioritize yourself, to nourish yourself. This is not just “self-care”. This is feeding our bodies what they need to function well. This is feeding our minds with positive and uplifting throughs. This is feeding our souls with the Word of God and intentional time in prayer.

It will look different for all of us. For some, it may be saying no to a party because we really just need a night at home. It might look like enjoying only one glass of wine instead of two or three. It might look like packing a yoga mat and keeping up with our workouts in a cramped hotel room or the basement of a relative’s house. It might be sitting down to eat your breakfast instead of eating on the road or standing in the kitchen. It might look like asking for help around the house.

How will you nourish yourself? You are worth taking the time to have a plan in place.

Don’t do it alone

Take a deep breath. Remember that you are held lovingly in God’s hands. He wants our hearts turned to Him, not worried about the things of this world. That can be a really hard balance to strike, especially if you have people in your life who rely on you. As we live this usually hectic time of year, I would love to support you in connecting your health with your faith. Click here to schedule a time for us to talk. I can’t wait to hear your hopes and dreams for your life and your health.