How to Maintain Good Cheer During the Holidays

The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, but for many people the stress is overwhelming. Expectations are high, family is close and nerves become raw. You may wish to skip the month of December altogether and go right into the new year without any fanfare. However, with some planning and awareness, you can keep yourself in good cheer during the holidays.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Schedule time alone. With so much to celebrate and so little time, you probably find your holidays overbooked. At this time of the year, you have to schedule time for yourself. Plan a relaxing activity for yourself, such as reading a book or watching a movie, and actually write it on your calendar. You may have to say no to other invitations, but a couple of hours to yourself will help you maintain a cheery mood throughout the holiday season.
2. Be honest with yourself. You love your family, but they haven't changed. Expecting Norman Rockwell holidays this year is what causes your stress. Accept your family for what it is, smile at them all and remember they'll be going home soon.
3. Limit consumption. Too much food and alcohol at the holidays is a recipe for disaster. If you want to stay in good cheer, hold back.
4. Do things for others. Remember the true spirit of the holidays. Schedule a few hours of your time helping a worthy cause–not your best friend with two left thumbs who still hasn't learned to wrap a package. Volunteer at a local charity to work with people who are truly less fortunate than yourself. It's a humbling experience that will help you rise above the middle-class chaos of the holidays.

Tips & Warnings

• Hang on to reality. The holidays are heavily hyped by our consumer economy. Don't get caught up in the commercial image of a happy holiday.
• Delegate. If you have a big family to feed for the holidays, assign everyone a dish to make.
• Be kind to everyone. They're probably stressed out about the holidays, too.
• Don't take it too seriously. The holidays come around every year. Whatever you don't do this year you can schedule in for next year.
• Don't be a slave to tradition. Just because your mother baked six different kinds of Christmas cookies every year doesn't mean you have to. Just make your favorite two. Or one.

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