Ingredients:

Just enough time with friends and family
Plenty of rest
Downsized shopping list
Reasonable holiday menu
Daily routine to stay grounded
No expectations

Directions:

Start with the finest ingredients: the people you love! 
Make sure to spend time with them. Now, to keep the intergenerational family gatherings from driving you crazy, remember this: ‘Tis the season to reflect on how the things that unite us are much greater than those that seem to divide. But if you need to regroup after interacting with your infamous uncle, try calm breathing.

Mix in regular intervals of rest. 

 In spite of the busy-ness of the season, rest and relaxation are as important as ever. Here are some tricks to keep things in balance: If your shopping list is wearing you out, pare it down. Do the same with your décor and invitations. Because you can’t give from an empty cup! If you need help unwinding at the end of a long day, give the Cook’s Hookup a try.

Adjust your expectations. 

 Back in the ‘90’s a spoof magazine, the Onion or Spy, published an issue that read: “Is Martha Stewart Living?” Great question. Yes, she is, and with a huge staff of helpers! Have you tried making whipped cream with a whisk as she did on TV? One of us did, and her arm got tired, so she switched to the hand mixer. Now she uses the can. Life is short, and we should spend it doing what we want to do. If that’s living up to an image of perfection, we probably need to adjust our expectations. If you need help letting those old expectations go, try reconnecting with the Four Thumps.

After you’ve adjusted some of your expectations, release rest of them. 
They will only lead to disappointment and frustration. But if you are already frustrated or disappointed, try the healing head hold to release those feelings and get calm and peaceful. In fact, all the exercises on ACEP’s Resources for Resilience site can help you through stressful, busy times.

This recipe does not require baking, just time. 

In about 40 days, it will be behind you, leaving you with a warm feeling inside and a smile on your face.

Recipe for a stress-free holiday

How do you keep your holidays stress-free? Which of these ideas resonate with you? we’d love to hear from you!

Wishing you a warm, joyful, and stress-free holiday,

The ACEP communications team
Cynthia, Lori, Rebecca, and Sarah

Lori Hops, President

Cynthia Joba, Director, Outreach & Communication

Sarah Murphy, Communications Committee Chair

Rebecca Rogers, Social Media

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash