5 Tips for Surviving Holiday Madness
By Angela Murray
Christmas is a time when the most level-headed person tends to go off the rails. There’s just so much to do – work, presents, school activities and parties. And for working mothers, balancing work and family during holidays becomes a very challenging task.Â
There does not seem to be a single moment in which to look after yourself. But don’t worry, a little planning and a change of perspective will make it easier.Â
In this blog, I will give you 5 easy tips to have less stress and more fun this Christmas. These tips can help you relax, enjoy quality family time, and still get your work done.Â
Table of Contents:Â
Why do the holidays feel more stressful for working mums than for anyone else?Â
What’s an easy way to cut down on Christmas cooking stress?Â
Is it okay to let go of the “hostess” role at my own gatherings?Â
What’s the one holiday task that stresses you out the most every year?
Why do the holidays feel more stressful for working mums than for anyone else?
Working mothers experience more stress during holidays as they are required to perform multiple duties at once – office duties, school-related activities for their children, shopping for presents, and preparing their home.
This phenomenon is known as working mum holiday stress and results from the fact that mums always put others’ interests above their own. Working mothers never have enough time to rest and relax, especially during the most hectic weeks of the year.
What’s an easy way to cut down on Christmas cooking stress?Â
One of the easiest methods is ordering your food or meal the day before Christmas. All you need to do is heat it up on Christmas. It is less time-consuming and less hectic for you.
Order ready-made food: Order food the previous day and just warm it up on Christmas Day.
Have a simple meal: Go for a limited number of food items, making the preparation process simpler.
Do some things beforehand: Prepare some of the things needed a day before.
Take help from your family members: Ask any family member to bring an item to the table.
Go for simple and clear recipes: Select simple and uncomplicated recipes for preparing food items.
Managing Stress During the Holidays
Click HERE to Watch More
iNspirational Videos
Is it okay to let go of the “hostess” role at my own gatherings?
It’s perfectly fine to step down from the role of host at your own party. You should also have fun at your party, and not work the whole time you are at your party. Many women end up cooking, cleaning the place, and attending to the needs of their guests while trying to get some much-needed rest.
This just adds to the pressure of the working mum at the holidays, especially Christmas. Self-care during the holidays means you let this burden go. Just tell your guests where things are and let them figure it out. Involve your partner or other family members in hosting the party.
If you are looking for a creative diversion over Christmas – I will be hanging around in my ‘Let’s Paint Ourselves Happy FB Group’  so check out what I am up to.
Lots of Love
Angela xxx
Source: angelamurray.com
What are the tips to manage the holiday to-do list?
Divide your long list into small tasks and complete a few tasks each day. Prioritize what is essential, and ignore the rest. The task of managing holiday to-do lists becomes much easier if you delegate the work to others rather than doing everything yourself.
Tips | Explanations |
Break the tasks | Don’t try to do everything at once. Divide your to-do list into smaller tasks each day. |
Prioritise | Do the most important tasks first, and if you have less time, skip the rest. |
Seek help | Ask your family members to help you with grocery shopping, cooking, and decoration. |
Don’t rush | Give enough time. Plan your tasks so that you allow enough time to finish them. |
Write down notes | Always write down notes in a journal or use an app so that you don’t forget anything. |
Small Steps to a Happier Holiday SeasonÂ
Perfection is not essential during holidays. Holidays are all about spending time with each other and nothing else. Ideal holiday stress management requires relaxation from added pressures, seeking help, and indulging in self-care. Start with small goals, be kind to yourself, and enjoy your efforts this season.
Quick Answers to Common Holiday Worries
Pre-order the food or prepare meals before Christmas. All you need to do is heat up the dishes on Christmas Day. It will save you time on shopping and cooking.
Sure. You do not have to attend all of them and accept every invitation. Choose the ones that you would like to visit.
Divide the list of your tasks into smaller ones. Prioritise the most important tasks and delegate the rest to your family members. The use of a notebook or an application might be helpful.
Featured Book
↓
