Five Ways To Have a Stress-free Holiday Season.

If you’re like most people, your holiday season is already packed with anticipation and potentially some stress. But there’s no need to feel like you’re battling the holiday blues – here are five tips to have a stress-free holiday suggested by the team at MEO.

1. Make a simple plan and prioritise the important things.

Let’s face it, you’ll have more than a few invites, gift ideas and sales tugging at your attention. So it’s essential to make a plan and be realistic about how much time you have to spend on each task. We suggest planning out where you’ll be shopping, who you’ll be shopping for and who you’ll be seeing this holiday season ahead of time so you can rest easy and focus on things that matter most.

2. Set a budget and stick to it.

Holiday spending in tough times means many of us will be budgeting to keep overspending at bay. Along with a simple plan, it’s great to look at ways to save money these holidays by shopping around and getting great deals, as well as DIY gifts which are always wonderfully received. You can also give gifts that are practical versus expensive and flashy, things you know your loved ones will use and appreciate.

3. Keep protected if you’re travelling

Yes, this seems pretty obvious and we are a facemask brand so we had to add this in here! But now more than ever it’s important to mask up and ensure you’re taking the proper precautions when travelling for the holiday season. No one wants to be ill this holiday season, especially when celebrating with friends and family. As the world opens back up to travel, ensure you’re packing the essentials to keep you safe.

Our MEO Guard is a great option for travel and can be found here. 

4. Take care of yourself physically and mentally.

Holiday burn-out is a real thing, and we’re sure many of you have experienced it at some point or another. Setting boundaries and ensuring you’re taking time out for yourself this holiday season will go a long way in helping you to stay happy and healthy during this busy time. If you’re overwhelmed, we suggest taking regular walks in nature, meditation, or reading a good book to help clear your mind and relax your body. Regular exercise is also a great way to de-stress and keep holiday stress at bay.

5. Be kind and patient with yourself and others around you

Remember we all go through hard times in life so sometimes the smallest of gestures can make the biggest difference to someone’s day, especially during the holiday season. Many of us will experience a heightened sense of stress as the holidays approach for various reasons. A smile, a hug, a kind word or a random act of kindness can go a long way in making someone’s day a little brighter and better overall and does wonders for you too. Empathy is key and it’s important to also show this to yourself as well. As you navigate the busiest season of the year be sure to take note of all the good you do with a gratitude journal or leave post-it notes around your home with daily, positive affirmations and reminders.

Whatever you have planned for the holiday season ahead ME wishes you and your loved ones a safe, and happy holiday ahead.