The pressures of life at this time of year tend to reach a fever pitch. Juggling the demands of the season on top of our regular responsibilities can easily overwhelm us. We don’t have to remain there, though. Here are some simple and practical strategies to cast aside that overwhelmed feeling even in this busy season and embrace more comfort and joy.
Clarify Your Outcomes
Pause your running frantically from task to task in order to reorient yourself toward your true aims. Write down the key things you hope to accomplish this season and why.Why do you want to do those things? If you find tasks on your list that aren’t essential to do in this season or don’t serve the purpose you just identified, push them to next year or delete them altogether.
Plot Your Time
Now that you’ve clarified your outcomes, get specific and set a timeline. What exactly needs to get done, and by when? Break large tasks into smaller chunks, and give those smaller tasks deadlines, too. If you’ve got a running list of things that need doing before Christmas, for example, plot out on your calendar when you’ll do what. Now you’ve got a plan.Protect Your Time
It can be tempting this time of year to fill your calendar with festivities, fun, and gatherings galore. There’s a tipping point, though, when too much of a good thing makes you feel nothing but stretched thin and overwhelmed. That’s no fun at all. So prioritize and practice your ability to politely say no.Delegate
Do you think you’re the only one in your realm who can do all of these tasks? Take another look. What tasks can you solicit help with? Who can you delegate to? Perhaps it’s time for your children to take on some holiday responsibilities. Perhaps your spouse would love to help if only he or she knew what you needed. Ease up on those reins, and let those around you contribute.Take Time Outs
Ensure that you’re taking a break from your to-do list regularly. Enjoying a cup of tea or cocoa, taking a walk in nature, and taking a nap are all simple and rejuvenating ways to balance your desire to be productive with your need to rest from time to time.Nurture Mind and Body
When the pace gets frantic, nutrition, exercise, and rest tend to be the first items tossed out the window. These should be at the top of your list, though. Maintain nutritious and wholesome eating habits, get enough sleep each night, and move your body each day. Good health and well-being are key to a jolly holiday.Disconnect
Feeling overwhelmed can lead many to reach for their phones for distraction and petty dopamine hits, but this exacerbates the problem in the long run. Beat the temptation before it emerges by setting up solid limits on your screen time. You might hide your phone away except for certain times of the day, for example.This time of year is meant to be a family-centric celebration of joy and love. Keep those overwhelmed feelings at bay and stay focused on the deeper significance of the holiday season.
