December 5, 2013
• 1 Minute Read
1. Plan ahead and be prepared
The holidays come at the same time every year, but for some reason they always seem to sneak up on us. It can be very stressful during the holidays to figure out what to buy and how much to spend. The best way to overcome this is to make a budget and stick to it. Create a list of the family and friends you need to shop for. Decide how much you will spend on each one and write down some ideas for each. Then keep your eye out for coupons and sales.
With gifts, holiday décor, travel, and events, the expenses can add up. Take all of those factors into account when creating your budget. If you use credit cards for your spending, take advantage of promotional reward offers and balance transfers.
2. Remember to Relax
There is always so much do to and so little time. Don’t spread yourself too thin. If you love holiday baking, just choose a few of your favorites to make and don’t stress about the rest. There’s often more than plenty of treats, sweets, and good eats when everyone gets together. Also if you are not able to attend all the holiday events you want, choose the ones that are most important to you and don’t feel bad about missing the others.
Most importantly, remember to make time for yourself. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is easy to fall off your regular exercise routine, and that’s okay. If you can fit in a quick trip to the gym, great! But when you can’t, go sledding with your family or play a little backyard football game with the kids. These activities are not only great for making memories, but also for burning a few extra calories. It’s also important to stay well rested, so save those late night Christmas movies for the weekend!
3. Remember what’s important
The holidays are a time for family and friends. Worrying about the small things, things you can’t control, and things you’ll never have time to get done will only increase your stress level and cause you to miss out on what is really important. Prioritize what’s important and then take time to experience the holiday’s imperfections and all.
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