It is stressful to plan for the holidays, even in “normal” years. It’s hard to delight children with holiday magic. And then you have to share it all on social media. The number of holiday stressors should be avoided or reduced as much as possible. However, you can minimize holiday stress by following a few practical tips and who knows, your holiday might be more enjoyable than you thought.
Set realistic expectations
The time to go on holiday has to be carefully decided, whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another. Talk to your children about realistic expectations if their wish list is beyond your budget, and remind them that holidays aren’t about luxury travel. Carefully explain to them before you go
on holidays what it will entail and what they won’t be doing (maybe a theme park isn’t on the cards this time but the last time you visit Salou, you had fun at PortAventura; it’s just not a possibility this time around).
Be proactive
When you are travelling somewhere for holidays, make sure to stay proactive. Try to plan all things. Make a proper plan of what you are going to do at your holiday destination. Choose your accommodation in advance. By staying proactive, you can reduce holiday stress to a huge extent and enjoy your holidays to the fullest.
Allow yourself some grace
Many of us have faced challenges in the past two years. Be compassionate with yourself. It is unnecessary to celebrate the same way you did in previous years. There might even be some holiday traditions you realise are more overwhelming than enjoyable, in which case you may want to let them go. Enjoy the holidays as you see fit this year, as your loved ones are more concerned about your happiness than anything else.
Get out of your head
Getting outside while on holiday can provide quick relief when you’re stuck in an endless cycle of worry-ruminate and dread. A walk on the beach, around the town, on the promenade or through a city can help get you out of your head. A large body of research has shown that movement positively affects our mental health.
Set a routine
Once the holiday begins, routines tend to fall by the wayside. It is vita , however, to have routines even when away; many people relied on them during the pandemic for their stability and reliability. Make sure to set aside time to do the things that make you happy and grounded while on vacation. Tell others what you need. It’s never a good idea to assume people know what you need, so talk to your loved ones about it if they don’t. Share what they can do to support you while on vacation. If you are visiting a place for the first time, you can even talk to the locals there if you face any difficulties or need to ask something. Keep things in perspective Keep in mind that the holidays are not going to last forever. As a result, a broader perspective and a longer-term outlook can be maintained. If you missed something off your schedule or were unable to visit some of the destinations, realise that it is not the end of the world.
