4 Tips to Help you Deal with Holiday Madness

With the holidays coming and Thanksgiving 10 days away, we’re approaching a period that many of us feel is the most stressful time of year. 

The stress we experience during the holiday season has many possible causes:

We have less time to complete our tasks and projects, given the fewer workdays available from late November to January 1st. In addition to the holidays themselves, there are other days in which our workplaces may be closed or partially staffed. The same for companies we’re doing business with.We have shopping to do for the holidays, as well as business or family-related events to attend (and prepare for) outside of work hours.We have age-old family dynamics to manage if we attend holiday gatherings with relatives. Such get-togethers can be joyful in many ways but also challenging—especially if we’re beginning to redefine ourselves beyond the traditional roles that family members may have “assigned” us.If we’ve had a major loss in the last year—e.g., the death of a family member or a divorce or separation—we’re likely to feel that loss more deeply during the holidays, given the nostalgic memories that this season brings to mind.We have countless other things to manage between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day—e.g., our budget for holiday gifts, our time to buy and wrap presents, our travel plans if we visit relatives or take a vacation. 

How do we deal with these stressors so we can be gracious and centered in a time that’s intended to give us gratitude and peace?

Recognize we may not get everything done. We can prioritize what must get done—in our work and elsewhere—and focus on top priorities.Schedule everything. Things can fall through the cracks if we’re not closely tracking our increased work and social obligations. A missed appointment or deadline will only compound our stress!Set expectations. When mutual expectations are undefined, we’re setting ourselves up for misunderstandings to occur later. For instance, when preparing for holiday events or family gatherings we should be clear about the details and who’s responsible for providing what. “Level-setting” expectations is just as important outside of work. Remember to breathe! It’s important to be mindful during stressful periods. From time to time we should just sit, be still, and center ourselves. 

Practicing these tips can help us “be present” to this season of gratitude and joy.

—Ilene Fischer, Partner, Mark Kamin and Associates