With Thanksgiving around the corner, you know what time of year it is! Holiday season!
Seems like there’s one party after another, and before you know it the season of gratitude feels more like the season for being grumpy.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the holiday season, so here’s a checklist to see how you might be sabotaging your ability to enjoy life in the next couple weeks.
1. Are you getting enough sleep?
If not, you’re gonna feel awful. Lots of people wear being tired like a badge of honor, but it’s ultimately self destructive. Your thinking slows down, your patience wears away, and you’re going to need it. So get enough sleep!
2. How are your eating habits?
With so many parities, get-togethers, and all their leftovers, it’s easy to overload your system. Since eating is tied so closely to socializing it can feel like a slight if you say no, but your body & mind will thank you.
3. How active are you?
Make sure you’re moving! Your body is an incredible machine, and it needs its exercise like a greyhound loves to run. This ties in closely with holiday eating; tough to want to do anything other than sit down and pass out if you’re too stuffed to move.
4. Are you saying Yes too often?
Learning how to say “no” can be the difference between a great time, and an awful time. We feel like we’re obligated to say yes to everything we’re asked to do, and quickly we wind up with more on our calendar than we can possibly make time for. The trick is learning how to say no so you have the space to say yes to what you really want, and then you can really enjoy it.
5. Are you asking for help?
I get it, you want to be a superhero. You want to pull off the perfect party all by yourself. But at what cost? Your sanity! Allow yourself to ask for help, and actually accept it when someone offers! The best part (I think) of the holiday time is spending time with people I like; not having the perfect spread for when they get there.
Conclusion
Any time you feel overwhelmed in the upcoming weeks, check in with yourself and ask these questions to yourself again. Chances are you’ll have one (or more) of these situations going on. Give yourself the freedom to take care of yourself first. You’re no good to anybody or yourself when you’re tired & stressed out!