It’s supposed to be a time of love, happiness and family, but instead, financial difficulty, lack of time and gift-giving pressures can all add up to make Christmas one of the most stressful period of the year. With one study finding that holidays stress out 88 percent of Americans, if you’re feeling tense this Christmas, you’re not alone.
Even so, Christmas should be enjoyed by everyone, and it’s important that you work towards decreasing your temporary stress so that you can truly appreciate the holiday season for what it is. Here are 6 simple ways to have a stress-free Christmas and embrace the merriness of the season:
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1. Write it down
One very bad idea that’s going to raise the stress bar from the get-go is to try and do Christmas from memory. Whether you’re buying presents, shopping for the Christmas dinner, or attending Christmas parties, you’ll do yourself a huge favour to make a note of all the important stuff. It’s so easy for things to slip your mind during the busy Christmas period, but if you’ve got it written down, you’ll remember to do it – and know for certain when you’ve ticked it off your list.
2. Stop comparing
Our social media culture nowadays means that it’s all too easy to boast about the perfect aspects of your own life while comparing yourself to everyone out there who’s doing the same. Get away from the internet over the Christmas period and focus on what your own family’s doing, rather than the strangers you shouldn’t care about.
3. Don’t leave it too late
The problem with Christmas is that preparation is such a commitment of time, and yet life continues as normal right up until Christmas eve. This might mean that you’re leaving it until the last minute to buy your gifts and other Christmas essentials – but honestly, it’s not worth the panic. Schedule some time off work in the first week or two of December and get things done.
4. Make a budget
Trying to finance Christmas is one of the biggest sources of stress, which is why making a budget in advance is so important. You want to be certain from the very beginning of exactly how much everything’s going to cost, and when you need to buy it. Be sure to factor in money for emergency last-minute spending, in case you discover you’ve forgotten something important closer to the time.
5. Take out a loan
On the subject of finance, if you know that Christmas is going to hit you – or, more accurately, your wallet – pretty hard this year, consider taking out a loan. Providing you’re certain you’ll be able to pay it off come January payday, this might help reduce the financial stress over the holiday period. Visit Let Me Bank for more information on the different loans available.
6. Ask for help
Christmas is about coming together as a community, and if you’re struggling with anything over the holiday period, your family and friends will likely be happy to help. Don’t be afraid to ask if you need their support, even if it’s just taking your kids off your hands so you can go and get a bit of much-needed Christmas shopping done.