Holiday burnout is a term often used to describe those desperate feelings that come from exhaustion, extreme stress, and a total loss of interest in all of those scheduled activities your supposed to be attending. Most people who report this burnout have just taken on too many additional tasks, whether it be from peer pressure, their own expectations, or overfilling their calendar with social and family activities.
If you feel like you are one of those people who are prone to holiday burnout, you can formulate a 'holiday stress management plan' that will help you steer away from this burnout! Here are some key strategies to kelp you get started:
1. Keep the Right Perspective - Try to remember that the holiday season is only a tiny portion of the year, and it will soon come to an end. There is always a nearby light at the end of the tunnel. It also does not need to be the most meaningful time of the year - YOU decide this. Also keep the perspective that you are not alone. Hundreds of thousands of other people share the same stress that you do during this time of year. Try and remember to save some YOU time. Grab a bath bomb, relax for thirty minutes, and regroup!
2. Planning is of course always the best way to eliminate stress. Before you say "yes" or commit to any parties, check your calendar or planner to make sure you're not overlapping any activities. If you're a parent, remember to check your kids activities as well. Also decide what level of social activity makes you happiest. Just because there's nothing written down doesn't mean you have to add something. You can always RSVP at a later date. Committing two months out isn't always necessary, and things will start to pile up on your plate as the Holidays near.
3. Preconceived ideas about how the holidays should go should be tossed out the door. This can be a difficult task for those who have years of traditions installed in them, but try to think of which ones you do because you actually enjoy, and which ones you do because of peer or family pressure. Getting rid of those you hate can also be liberating. Think of starting your own Holiday traditions, ones you actually enjoy!
4. Finally, give yourself permission to do what you need to do, feel as you need to, and make the choices and decisions you need to. You have the right to define what's more important for you and the ways you plan to make your holidays enjoyable, memorable, and meaningful for you. So grab a cozy blanket and some paper, write out your wishes, and stick to them! You've got this!