Holiday Preparation Day 10 | Skip the Stress

I kind of feel it coming. Like a tidal wave, I know the stress is going to hit me this holiday season. It does every year. I have all the expectations of what I think the holidays should look like. I want everything to be perfectly perfect-gifts, food, family visits, memories. And while rationally I know perfect is impossible, the stress is still there. But this year (so far) I feel one step ahead of the game, like I can do this. Like if I know what might be coming, then I can fight back and make the season that much sweeter.

So here are some things I’m consciously putting into practice this time of year to lessen the stress.

• Cut down the giving list. It’s not necessary to give everyone I know a present. They don’t expect it, and by giving less I’m not spending as much time or money where it doesn’t need to be spent. And speaking of time, I plan to do a lot of shopping online. If I can stay out of the mall, I will be a happy girl. When I can’t find that perfect gift, I’m going to take advice from Greatist.com and give up and give a gift card. I’m not ashamed.
• Volunteer. It may only be at my children’s preschool, but I plan on volunteering and helping out where I’m needed this year. It all goes back to my 30 Days of Random Kindness and realizing how good it feels to do anything for others. This is the season of giving, and my time is something else I can give.
• Keep my healthy habits. I’m trying hard to remember to sleep plenty, eat the right foods, drink lots of water, and exercise. Not only is it simply good for my body, but keeping some normal, everyday habits will help to keep me grounded when things get crazy this season.
• I’m not Martha. And I won’t have the magazine-perfect Christmas. My home will be lovely, but it will be Anna lovely. And that will be wonderful.
• Take personal time. I typically put the world ahead of myself, and it can make me more stressed and more unhappy. I am going to try really hard to remember to stop and take time for myself this season to keep myself grounded. In fact, I have a date tomorrow morning with my camera, a new zoom lens (thanks Uncle Chris!), and the sunrise. I’m really looking forward to it. If the photographs are good, then I’ll share them with you on Sunday.

What way do you beat the holiday stress? Please share your coping methods, because I might need them.

And I have exciting news to share! If you’re on Facebook or Twitter, you might’ve already seen, but I’ve been named a Greatist Ambassador with Greatist.com. I will be working with Greatist to make healthy choices for myself and “empower, inform, and inspire others to become greatists too.” Click over to Greatist.com to see what they’re all about (it’s so much more than exercise and eating right). I will be sharing more about being a Greatist Ambassador very soon, but the news was much too exciting not to share right away.