Here we are at the end of the year 2020. It is fair to say that this year has been difficult for most of us with the common reason being the covid-19 situation and the related changes in our lives. Given that how can you make these holidays less stressful and more enjoyable.

End of the year does bring festivals, celebrations and heralding of the New Year. It does make us look forward to positivity in the on coming days. At the same time we need to acknowledge that holidays also can be stressful in families even in normal times and with the constraints of the covid, stress and tensions within families can become aggravated.

Here are six ways of making these holidays less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone in your family.

• Have a plan:

Whether you are a couple or single or a family, have a plan of how you want to spend these holidays, be it travel or stay home. Travel can be more stressful than normal with the covid restrictions and fears.  Even if you don’t plan to go anywhere, make that an explicit plan to stay home and do certain planned activities, make it a stay-cation at home. Loneliness, frustrations and boredom can creep up on you and can be especially painful during the holiday season.

• Have realistic expectations:

Whether you are staying home on travelling in these holidays, it is good to have realistic expectations. It might be a long pending vacation or a long awaited family union. Given the current coronavirus situation there could be possible delays or last minute changes in plans.  Family meets also can get heated up if there is any pent up frustration in family members. Old issues could get stirred up and new might pile on. Expect that things may not go according to plan and have backup plans.

• Avoid over doing things:

Commit to only doing things that you can handle comfortably. Over extending yourself might aggravate things and is best avoided. Share responsibilities amongst yourselves appropriately so that not one person is overburdened by work or responsibilities. Discuss with your loved ones and plan your budget upfront and stick to it. If you are having a home get together with friends or family, and if you plan to cook, you can take it easy on yourself by planning for a potluck perhaps.

• Say NO as required:

It is OK to say no when it is required. If you already stretched, do not extend additional hospitality to more. Even within your own family it is important to say NO to your children or your partner or relatives when it is required and appropriate. Inability/difficulty to say no leads up to more stress frustration and overall dissatisfaction.

• Give yourself permission to not be perfect:

Many a times you are trying to meet other people’s expectations. But when you expect yourself to be perfect and everything else to be perfect, that can never practically be met. You are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment

• Take care of yourself:

Last but not the least is to take care of yourself.  Take a breath, give yourself a break. Identify a few things that you want to do just for yourself. And allow yourself to indulge in them. Stay in the now and practice mindfulness. Be aware of your own physical and mental wellness requirements.  Provide yourself care and support generously.

And of course – wear masks, use sanitizers and practice social distancing.

Wishing you and all of us a safe and happy holidays and wish for a bright and healthy new year 2021.

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