Working smart: How to Stay Sane During the Holidays

 

If you are juggling career and real life, how can you aim for happy holiday merry-making without crazy-making?

 What’s your favorite holiday? For many, the winter holiday season (loosely including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day) is the highlight of the entire calendar year. This joyous season brings fun foods, family gatherings, friendly festivities and many other bounteous blessings.

 On the other hand, the holiday season may also be a supreme source of stress for many. In fact, every blessing of the holidays may also carry a frenetic flip side. While some folks may celebrate the season in sweet bliss and merriment, others may become agitated, over-scheduled, frustrated or even depressed.

 

How can the holiday season be restored to a time of love, joy and peace?

 Here are seven tips for celebrating holiday seasons in sanity. Try these basic stress-busting steps may help to keep holiday celebrations manageable and enjoyable.

 

1. Plan ahead.

 Organization and advanced planning can do much to reduce holiday stress. Smart seasonal celebrants begin holiday gift shopping many months before the season begins. Online shoppers and mail-order catalog browsers have long understood the value and convenience of selecting and purchasing holiday gifts well in advance.

 Holiday greeting cards may be produced or purchased and addressed early in the fall (or even during the Thanksgiving weekend). A well-kept personal address list (with printable labels) can also be a significant holiday stress-buster. 

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

 

2. Decorate in a day.

 Holiday decorating may be enjoyable, but it can also be incredibly time-consuming and stressful. Why not set aside a single day to trim the tree and deck the halls for the holiday season?

 Some folks like to enlist the assistance of the whole family or a few fun friends, and make a holiday event out of seasonal decorating.

 Essentially, if seasonal decorating takes more than a day or two, then it may be time to trim the trimmings.

The same principle may be performed for holiday baking and cooking. Setting aside a single day in the kitchen and then freezing holiday treats can make this tradition fun, rather than frantic.

 

3. Manage the munching madness.

 In many homes, the fabulous food orgy begins with Halloween and runs clear through Valentine’s Day. Sweet and salty snacks, bounteous buffets and other waist-stretchers tempt holiday celebrants throughout the cold-weather months, in particular. Although the countless traditional and contemporary cuisine choices may be enjoyable, the departure from a regular diet may prove stressful to many.

 Managing a basic healthy diet is certainly a challenge during the holidays, but this contributes greatly to the semblance of needed sanity. A few binges may be fun, but overall, good nutrition can certainly help most to feel better throughout the holiday season.

 On the other hand, holiday revelers need not beat themselves up with self-imposed guilt for a few extra calories at seasonal celebrations. After all, balance is the key to reduced stress.

 

4. Stay simple.

 Culturally, gift-giving has become the highlight of the holiday season. As delightful as this may seem, particularly to younger holiday celebrants, season’s greetings need not focus wholly on material items. The shopping and spending can prove costly to both pocketbooks and personalities.

 Many families, clubs, workplace departments and other groups choose to draw names for gift-giving. Others opt to make group donations to charitable organizations, in lieu of exchanging personal gifts. White elephant gift parties and Yankee swaps are also popular. These tactics can greatly reduce the stress of holiday gift-giving.

 

5. Be bold with boundaries.

 Over-scheduling may be the single greatest stress-maker of the holiday season. Seeking super celebrations, many families and friends allow their calendars to overflow with holiday parties and events. These commitments may be piled on top of regular daily responsibilities, such as work and home obligations.

 What is the result? Instead of enjoying the holiday season, folks become rushed, frustrated and even impatient. Where is the holiday spirit, if folks must race the clock?

 Creative holiday celebrants seek to carve out personal time to spend alone or with loved ones. A quiet evening at home with a good book, a shared family board game or a favorite holiday movie can be a super stress-buster during the holiday season.

 

6. Edit expectations.

 Often, personal expectations may drive folks into a season of stress, rather than celebration, during the holidays. Seeking to recreate ideal traditions or memories of holidays past, or to fulfill holiday fantasies, can prove futile and frantic. Instead of enjoying the holiday season, celebrants may be tempted to overdo, to try to top previous holidays or to create the perfect party or new holiday memories.

 When did holiday revelry become a rat race? Maybe it is time to adjust personal expectations, or oneself and of others, and simply bask in the simple beauty of the holiday season.

 

7. Crate for convenience.

 Once the holiday season has passed, a little organization can greatly simplify the packing of seasonal items, adding to the ease of the following year’s celebration. Strategic storage (perhaps in clearly labeled bins or boxes) makes holiday decorations, greeting cards, wrapping papers and other supplies readily accessible for the next year.

 Discarding or donating unused items also streamlines the tasks that will be required later.

 Perhaps it is time for the holiday season to return to a season of simplicity, a time to be treasured and a moment of magic, rather than madness. In sanity and celebration, the holiday season may be merry without becoming mayhem.

 

May the holidays be happy, but not harried.

 

Image/s: adapted from public domain artwork

 

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2021 goals: Personal and professional

 

I’m not making any New Year’s resolutions for 2021. (I shudder at the thought.)

New Year’s resolutions, popular though they be, seem to be nearly impossible to achieve. Look at the blogosphere, for example. Posts abound, as the New Year approaches, with folks declaring lofty intentions for improved physical fitness, healthier diets, career advancement, financial independence, and more.

People polish resumes, as the calendar turns to a new year. Gyms announce new classes, expecting increased memberships with January’s arrival. Banks trumpet new account offerings. Nutritionists and fitness trainers sign on new clients. Career counselors book new appointments.

Countless individuals seem enjoy a boost in personal motivation and energy (at least mental energy), as the New Year begins.

Sounds great, right?

 

But wait …

How many people come back to report their successful achievement of these ideals at the end of the year? How many stick with their New Year’s resolutions through the end of January?

OK, so I'm not doing New Year's resolutions.

 

Count me in for 2021 goals.

Goals vs. resolutions. Am I mincing words here?

Not at all. I think it’s important to outline some specific, tangible, potentially achievable objectives for the coming year. I’m not promising to lose 50 pounds, become a corporate CEO or bestselling author, or win a global award. (Gee, no kidding!) But I am setting out some clear commitments that I believe are worth declaring for the sake of personal and/or professional enrichment. (I’d contend that personal and professional enrichment are closely linked.)

Motivational gurus love to talk about SMART goals. That’s an acronym:

• Specific – Can I define the goal clearly?
• Measurable – Can I evaluate my progress towards that goal? And will I know when I get there?
• Achievable – Is the goal even possible for me at this point?
• Relevant – Does the goal fit my life (i.e., my values, talents, gifts, objectives)?
• Time-based – Does the goal have a reasonable and well-defined time frame?

In the past, some of my New Year goals (not all in the same year) have included changing jobs, running a marathon, writing a book for publication, reading through the entire Bible, and running the year in miles.

 

Here we go.

1. Read 50+ books. That’s just shy of one book per month. As a writer and reviewer, it’s probably the least I can do. You can read more about this goal here, if you wish.
2. Run 2,021+ miles. Join me, if you want, for this year-long virtual running challenge.
3. Sort, scan and shred at least one family photo album per month to cut clutter. This will diminish our collection by a dozen, while digitizing the images for future generations. Hey, it’s a start.
4. Exercise for 30+ minutes at least five times each week. Hopefully, this will include cross-training to go with the running.
5. Schedule and show up for a couple of long-postponed routine medical tests. Don’t ask. Let’s just say I’ve used the 2020 pandemic as a worthy excuse for putting these semi-elective appointments off.
6. Write and send at least one non-agenda note per month. These correspondences do not include thank-you notes, appointment confirmations, favor requests, meeting recaps, FYIs, or even holiday greetings. These are simply social interactions in writing to communicate affirmations, encouragements, and personal interactions. Forms may include electronic and actual paper.
7. Pare down my portfolio. At this point in my own career, I probably don’t need multiple copies of every corporate annual report, product launch packet, executive speech, company newspaper, and other publication I’ve done. It’s time to fill the recycle bin, rather than my own shelf.
8. Reconnect personally with at least one friend/colleague per month. I’m not talking about those I see regularly. These would be deliberate reunions with those I’ve intended to see for a year or more. If the world reopens, we can have in-person meet-ups. Otherwise, I’ll aim for virtual get-togethers.
   

Also, I am reserving the right to add goals as the year progresses, if that seems appropriate.

Looming in my head are several more nebulous, unmeasurable ideals. I want to cultivate genuine gratitude in each day, choose more appropriate language (especially in what we might call heated moments), and develop improved personal stress management. I’d like to raise my daily water intake and cut my consumption of simple carbs and sugars. Those efforts are harder to quantify, but they’re no less real.

 

What goals have you set for yourself in the coming year?

Vision boards and goal charts may help plenty of people, but I’m simply listing my objectives for the year. I’m not bothering with stickers or tokens or treats.

Also, my roster is not aimed at begging for accolades or attaching goal guilt to anyone. I’m posting it publicly to make myself accountable. I need that.

Welcome, 2,021. Ready, set, go!

 

Image/s: Created by this user on online generator

 

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Got an interview or presentation? Get some exercise first!

It’s easy to sit and over-think an upcoming job interview, important meeting, or business presentation. Many of us have done exactly that – more times than we’d like to count. And our schedules grow cramped and confused, so we find ourselves skipping personal pursuits. Like exercise.

We’ve likely heard that physical fitness (at any level) can improve our overall health and perhaps even our professional performance.

So what do we do, drop and give ‘em 20 in the company hallway? 

Simply pacing the floor and fretting about that upcoming appointment doesn’t exactly count, either.

To gain the benefits, we need to mark out time windows regularly for personal exercise. We know it’s good for us in plentiful ways, both on and off the job.

Exercise may improve both thinking and memory functions, according to Heidi Godman, executive editor of Harvard Health Letter. “Indirectly, exercise improves mood and sleep, and reduces stress and anxiety,” Godman said.

“With every step you take, every mile you pedal or every lap you swim around the pool, you’re enhancing your cognitive fitness. Recent studies suggest that the activities you do to improve your body also benefit your brain,” The Cleveland Clinic reported.

“When you exercise, your body releases chemicals such as dopamine (pronounced doh-pa-meen) and endorphins (en-door-fins) in your brain that make you feel happy. Not only is your brain dumping out feel-good chemicals, but exercise also helps your brain get rid of chemicals that make you feel stressed and anxious,” a recent Dana Foundation report explained. “People who exercise tend to be happier and less stressed than those who don’t exercise. Regular exercise can also help you control your emotions when you do feel angry or upset.”

A Web MD write-up lists these common benefits of exercise:

• better memory/retention
• improved sleep / restfulness
• higher level of alertness
• more consistent concentration
• reduced anxiety
• stronger neuroplasticity / mental flexibility

Of course, regular exercise improves cardiopulmonary health and also points to potential prevention of depression, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and several other serious health conditions.

Can you just imagine how those exercise-related changes could help with job interviewing or even daily workplace activities and interactions?

Moderate exercise choices might include aerobics, bicycling, dancing, dog-walking, gymnastics, hiking, horseback riding, jogging, martial arts, roller-skating, rowing, skiing, swimming, tennis, walking, weightlifting, yardwork, and yoga. The trick is to find something we don’t absolutely hate to do – some form of exercise that we will actually continue consistently. Ideally, we choose a variety of fitness activities for optimum benefits and to keep us interested.

For example, my weekly schedule includes a few fitness classes, plus my individual runs and workouts. I didn’t pursue physical fitness personally for much of my life, but in recent years, it has become a priority. And it’s made an enormous difference in so many ways. (It all started with a life-changing medical diagnosis, which lit a fire under me. That’s a long story, but it led to my running full marathons.)

In addition to the personal benefits that result from practicing physical fitness, most people seem to find stress relief and a sense of satisfaction from achieving personal goals. Exercise activities also make us more interesting to potential employees, clients, co-workers and others, who find we have more than just “shop-talk” when conversations come up.

Those who participate in group exercise, just as gym classes or team sports may experience additional socialization, which can also carry over into improved performance and overall adaptability in the workplace.

Gee. Maybe that’s why lots of companies offer discounted gym memberships, or even on-site fitness facilities.

Image/s:

Adapted from public domain images

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