3 simple, powerful ways to stress less this holiday season

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(3½ minute read time)

I often find myself feeling a bit harried this time of year.  Between burgeoning task lists, lack of time, increased financial demands, family dynamics and end of year requirements at work, most of us experience pressure around the holidays.  So, today, I am offering you 3 Simple, Powerful ways to help reduce some of the stress.        

#1 )Time Math – Have clear expectations of what you want to accomplish this holiday season and how long these things take.  There are only so many hours in a day. And, there are only so many days left before it needs to be done. Once we see the math of what we’ve already scheduled + what we want to accomplish, it becomes much easier to prioritize.  Then, we can pare down where necessary. And you’re probably going to have to pare down – most of us overestimate what we can accomplish in a day. Before preparing for the holidays was even a faint glimmer in your mind this year, you were already spending every moment of your time doing something.  What will you have to say “No” to in order to make space for these remaining holiday to-do’s? And, which holiday to-do’s may just have to get lost on the cutting room floor this year? (Yes, that’s an option.)            

#2) Be present – Have you ever driven somewhere, arrived and not recall the commute you JUST took?  Lately, I have been experiencing a similar phenomenon. I’ll catch myself doing one thing but my mind is in a completely different spot.  Usually, I am distracted by thinking about what I’ll be doing next, or thinking about something else I need to do. Whatever it is I am thinking about, it’s NOT about the current reality.  

Japan has a rather old point & call system called shisha kanko.  It was designed to reduce safety incidents on trains. Train operators, in certain higher-risk scenarios, must point and vocalize what they see.  The idea is that by engaging multiple senses, we raise our level of consciousness. So I’ve been trying it. Sometimes I’ll point and just whisper it to myself: “On the phone with Mom”.  Sometimes I just work it into the conversation “I’m in the car, with you, on the way to the airport”.    It actually has raised my awareness.  Not surprising considering it reduced train incidents by up to 85% – it’s clearly effective. 

By increasing my awareness, I’m directing my brain to the here and now.  I’ve found 2 main benefits so far. One, I minimize worry. If I am thinking about my fingers moving about this keyboard to write this blog post right now I can not simultaneously be thinking about what I am doing after this (feed and walk the dogs, in case you were wondering).  Second, I get to actually have the experience. Remember when I announced I was in the car on the way to the airport? I noticed that for the rest of the trip I did not pick up my cell phone. Not once.            

#3) Generate intentional emotion – In the past, I never enjoyed holiday shopping much because mostly it was an “obligation” to me.  In my mind, it was something “I have to do”.  I hate to say it but it used to be a chore, one I wanted off my list ASAP.  How scrooge of me right?? Maybe I am not alone… Either way, I decided I did not want to shop that way this year.  I wanted to feel joy and be intentional with gifting. I started by picking one person on the list. I thought about her, what I love and appreciate most about her.  I felt grateful for her being a part of my life. Then, I set out to shop for her and BOOM! Just like that, I found the perfect gift! Thoughts generate emotions, which drive actions and ultimately create my results.  Just a simple mind shift can completely change our experience.   

No matter what your holiday season is shaping up to be like, you really can feel better about it today.  It truly is possible. Let me know if you can use a hand. I can definitely help, just click here to schedule a free, 30-minute discovery session.