Some last minute flashback tips for mitigating, navigating and tolerating all the impending Christmas chaos.
Please to add your tip and suggestions below.
Reread this. Thanksgiving? Hanukkah? All the major holidays? Bring the same sorta stress. It’s a good thing, People. We can reuse old posts tactics!Have low expectations. While this may sound silly or even negative—it really works. Keeping your expectations low (or, more aptly put realistic) places far less pressure on you *and* those around you. Aim for a simple, enjoyable holiday, rather than hopestriving for crazy, shocking unmitigated rapture. Decide that you’ll be happy if you have a nice day with good food, friends, family and a few laughs. If things turn out to be far better than you’d anticipated it’s added bonus!Are you playing host or hostess this year? One word: delegate. Ask for help both before and after the meal (this post might be kind of late for the helpseeking food-wise, but not for set up etc.). Dont end up feeling tiredtired over the holidays as a result of feeling resentful and unappreciated. Remember, even the littles can help in *some fashion* and, as a result, everyone will feel more a part of the celebration.Make time for you, for what energizes you, and for what gets you good tired. Take a walk alone to recharge, take advantage of having visiting relatives who might wanna babysit (for free!) to recharge with your partner/spouse. Perhaps think about implementing behavior based bonuses during the holidays. Reward yourself not for pounds lost (or even maintained) but for remaining calm with the family member who knows (knew?) how to rile you up or for reacting in new, healthy ways to old triggers.Fiber. Yep, I said it. Stay regular. Feel better all around. ’nuff said.It’s not a competition. Dont allow yourself to get sucked into what others are receiving/doing/having this holiday season. Hell, all year ’round this is a good thing to remember. Let’s challenge each other to see who can be the least competitive. From our decorations to our fancy dinners to our array of gifts. Remember, we are AVIS up in herre and proud of it. This holiday season let’s all be number two.Use relaxation techniques. Try meditation. Try deep breathing or focusing on your breath as a way to diminish anxiety or tension. Exhale your breath completely, squeeze your abdominal wall in an attempt to expel ALL from your lungs, inhale as deeply as you can. Then exhale slowly again. Do this three or four times when you are feeling stressed. Yoga is another great way to relax over the holidays, but the great thing about this exercise is you can do it anytime or anywhere.Limit yer drinking. I know, I know but the more you indulge, the more likely you are to overeat, wake up with a hangover, or blurt out what you think of your great aunt’s new young’ inappropriate boyfriend.Plan a treat for after you sail successfully through the holiday frazzle. Whether this is a reward for sticking to your food plan or for making it though Christmas dinner without screaming at your mother–pre-plan something to which you can look forward. If need be make this treat your mantra. Nothing makes pie you dont really love less alluring than knowing you have a spa day booked should you be able to resist.
There you go, People.
That’s what Ive got for you as far as tips to make it through the next week or so.
And remember, as Vince Vaughn says in the piece of cinematic wonderment which is Four Christmases: you cant spell families without the lies.
(No, I have absolutely no real point with that quote. V-squared just makes me freakin laugh.)
Tags: fiber, holiday stress, non-scale victories, rewards, setting self up for success
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