The holidays can be a notoriously stressful time—whether it’s endless to-do lists as you prepare for feasting and gift-giving, hectic travel through crowded airports and over busy roads, or socializing and spending time with family you don’t see often—there’s certainly a lot to stress you out during this so-called season of good cheer.
But the holidays don’t have to be a stressful time. In fact, you can use your precious time off from work to recharge both your mental and physical health. Here are a few tips for getting started.
- Set boundaries for work and family
It can be hard to resist the urge to check your emails during your time off, especially if you have a busy, high-stress job. But taking time to completely unplug and let your work worries go is vital to enjoying your holidays and getting the rest you need to start the new year with a full battery.
To keep work in its place during the holidays, set clear boundaries for yourself and your team. If you feel you need to check in on work, schedule an hour or two each day to do that—then put it away for the rest of the day. Letting your team know that you’ll be available during that time—and that time only—can help ensure you stick to those boundaries and don’t slip up.
Setting boundaries with family can also be a good idea, especially if you’ve had problems in the past. At the start of the holidays, simply let your family know what’s OK and not OK for them to do, then hold them to it. Of course, it goes without saying that this works best when you communicate your boundaries calmly and politely, but you also want to stand up for yourself. Remember, it’s perfectly fine to say no to a request, to excuse yourself from a certain activity, or to speak up when you feel you aren’t being treated fairly.
- Rest, but don’t slack off
The holidays provide the perfect excuse to take time off from your normally busy schedule, and taking full advantage of the opportunity to relax will help you return to your normal routines feeling rested and ready to jump back in.
But don’t slack off on everything. While it’s perfectly fine to give yourself a little more leeway than you usually would, you’re going to feel much better relaxing in a clean, orderly environment, rather than in a cluttered, dirty space. Make time for things like housework, groceries, and finances. In fact, the holidays might be just the right time to catch up on some of the things you’ve left undone during the previous year.
You may even want to start planning the next year, if you feel up to it. Planning future goals, vacations, and fun events can help you feel excited to head into the new year, rather than leave you dreading it.
And while the urge to veg and stream all 10 seasons of your favorite show may be strong, don’t forget to keep exercising during the holidays. It’s simply better for your physical and mental health.
- Unplug
Lots of people enjoy streaming their favorite shows, video chatting with friends, or scrolling social media during the holidays. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying technology during your break—as long as you don’t let it become your main activity. Because there’s not as much going on in general, the holidays are a great time to unplug and reconnect with the world around you, technology-free.
Get out and enjoy nature, spend time visiting friends in-person, or fill your time with technology-free activities like reading, puzzles, and board games. Remember those from the old days?
- Make time for fun
Rest and relaxation go a long way toward recharging your battery, but a dose of fun can have the same effect, and ending the year on a high note can help you keep a positive attitude amidst all the holiday craziness.
Whether it’s going to the movies, hitting up your favorite local restaurant, or planning an activity with friends you haven’t seen in a while, use the holidays as an excuse to have fun. After all, ‘tis the season to be jolly.
