Finding peace in the holiday stress
The holidays are approaching and we are expected to spend time with loved ones. But many also feel pressure to buy perfect Christmas presents, be an amazing cook, and show off a clean and decorated home. Make sure to talk about your expectations for the Christmas weekend, so that the days off can be about recovery rather than stress.
During the days off, we should be taking it easy, doing what we like, and avoiding the stress that we often carry with us. Do what you can to find peace—the last thing you want is to let stress trigger a relapse.
Socializing and activities
Think about how you want it. What is important to you, and what makes you feel good? Traditions can bring us joy, community and a sense of belonging, but they can also benefit from being re-examined. Just because you usually do things a certain way doesn't mean you have to continue doing it the same way this year too.
In other words, it's okay to say no to what doesn't feel right or feels too much, or to suggest that you do things in a different way.
Don't plan too much. Even activities that are fun can take energy and require recovery. Make sure there are gaps in the schedule. One way of not completely abstaining from a certain activity or socializing can be to shorten it in time. Maybe you don't need to see each other for a whole day, maybe a couple of hours is enough?
Talk about your expectations! This will make it easier for you to find a balance.
Food
If you have the opportunity, order groceries to be delivered to your home, to avoid queues, congestion, and straining your joints by carrying heavy loads.
Suggest a potluck meal, so that everyone is involved and contributes. Someone is responsible for starters, someone for the main course, someone arranges drinks and snacks and so on.
If meeting and socializing over food feels overwhelming, initiate an alternative. Go for a walk together, bring some coffee and something simple to eat.
Again, think through what is important to you. Do you cook a certain dish out of old habit, or because you actually want to? Could it be time to find new ways?
Christmas presents
The tradition of Christmas presents can be demanding, especially if you have many to give. First you have to figure out what might fit, then everything has to be found, bought and wrapped.
Do you give Christmas presents to someone “because you've always done so”? Would it be possible to suggest that you skip it? Explain that the important thing for you is that you get a nice time together, not that you give each other presents. Maybe the other party will be as relieved as you.
If you still want to give each other something, agree to make it simple. Perhaps a gift to charity that means something extra to you?
The Elsa team wishes you a merry, happy and stress-free Christmas!