Do you have holiday overwhelm? Here are a few short and sweet tips to get you through:
1. Add some rest and relaxation to your routine. Research has shown time and time again that getting more rest makes us more productive and results in fewer errors. When you feel stressed, take just five minutes, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. You’ll find that more than five minutes will be restored to you through greater productivity.
2. Do a brain dump. Take a few minutes to write down everything that’s going on in your brain. More than likely, you’re “To Do List” is smaller than what you imagine. And even if that’s not the case, by writing it down, you can easily see what’s most important.
3. Each day, pick three things that matter the most to you … the three things you really want to get done. Then do them. If you have time for more, consider it a bonus!
4. Press the easy button. Take a look at your list. What can you eliminate? Ask yourself if it will make a difference in 6 months if you don’t take homemade cookies to the Holiday party. Or who (besides you) will even notice if you don’t put up the same number of decorations you did last year. Which is more important? The things on your list or having less stress? You get to decide.
5. What can you delegate? “But,” you say, “no one will do it right”. So I say … better “done” than “perfect”. Life can be more fun when it’s not perfect. And giving others the opportunity to help out can be the gift they’ve been wanting.
6. Clear that clutter. The less “stuff” you have lying around, the more efficient you’ll be. Clear your kitchen countertops to make cooking easier. Clear your workspace to make doing that paperwork less gruesome. Clear the dining room table to make holiday meals more pleasant. Where can you de-clutter to make your life easier?
7. What can you do after the holidays? If it can be done after the holidays when things aren’t so stressful, put those action items on a list titled “After the Holidays To Do List”. Then forget about them until later. Just don’t lose your list.
8. Don’t try to multitask. Studies have shown that multitasking isn’t possible. Period. It’s not efficient to try and we want every second to count when we feel overwhelmed. If you’re chatting on the phone while writing an email … or fixing dinner while watching the news, you’re brain is constantly switching from task to task and back again. Sound exhausting? It is and you’re depleting your precious mental and physical energy!
9. Stay healthy. Don’t overeat. You can indulge, just don’t go overboard. Get those Zzzzzz’s. And move that wonderful body of yours. Your body will thank you and you’ll have more energy to do those things on your list.
10. Remember what the holidays are really about. This time of year is meant to be filled with joy. Connect with family and friends and don’t let this month go by in a total blur. Slow down … think about what it is you really want. The good news? You get to choose how you want to live this season.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Debbie Hawkins, Certified Health and Life Coach
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