How To Survive The Holidays

With the holidays around the corner, life can get busy and your goal gets pushed to the back burner.  You have a lot going on and adding one more thing to your plate feels overwhelming.  Here is how to survive the holidays and still make progress toward your goal.

Self Care

With so much on your to do list, the holidays can feel extremely overwhelming.  That’s why it’s important to find time in your schedule to just breathe.  Take a beat and pause.  If you’re able to, squeeze in a nap or quiet time to read a book.  You might have to get up a bit earlier to have this peace and quiet to yourself.  Be still in the meditative silence.  Escape the busyness of the holidays and go for a walk to clear your thoughts.  All of these may be tough to do during the holidays but it is so important for your mental health and wellbeing.  You have to take care of yourself if you expect to be present and there for others too at this time of year. 

Gratitude

Next, focus on gratitude.  Find things that you can be thankful for.  When you wake up and before you go to bed at night, find at least three things that you are grateful for.  Try and make these things different.  When you have a gratitude practice, you’ll be more present during the day because you’ll be searching for the positive things that are happening all around you.  Sometimes you can be so busy and stuck in own head that you don’t notice the little things going on right in front of you.  Find those special things that you can be grateful for each day so that you can fully enjoy the holidays.

Goal Progress

Don’t forget about your goals.  Each day, choose one small action step that will help you make progress toward your goal.  It doesn’t have to be anything huge.  It can just be five minutes or completing a tiny portion of a bigger task.  Keep the progress and momentum going without overwhelming yourself during the holidays.  You don’t want to get through the holidays and find yourself in the new year without making any progress toward your goal.  Commit to sticking to one little action you can take each day.

Schedule

Lastly, plan out your days and week.  When you have a schedule, you’re more likely to get things done.  You’ll reduce your overwhelm and feel more organized so that you know what needs to get accomplished each day.  Schedule in your daily goal action time.  Plan some white space to rest and recharge.  You can’t keep going a million miles an hour without burnout.  Make a list of the things you need to do and schedule them into your planner.   Don’t overcommit yourself and learn to say no to things that you honestly don’t have the time or energy for.  With a visual daily action plan, you can survive the holidays.

The holidays can be super overwhelming but when you have a plan, you’ll be more equipped and better able to manage your stress during this busy time of year.  Start by focusing on your own mental health by taking time for self care.  Be present and find something to be grateful for each day.  Continue to make progress towards your goal by doing one very teeny tiny action step that still helps you to achieve your goal.  Lastly, have a planner and schedule in what needs to get done.  If you leave it to chance, it won’t get completed.  Stop making your brain try and remember it all.  Write it down so that you can reduce your stress during this busy season.  Help yourself out by using these four simple things to stay sane and survive the holidays.