As lockdown restrictions start to ease, many of us are looking forward to the festive season holidays, hoping there will be more freedom to celebrate than there was in December 2020. Here are a few smart planning tips to help you enjoy the upcoming festive period with as little stress as possible.

10 Top Tips for a Stress-Free Festive Holiday

  1. Make a budget and stick to it. This includes your budget for gifts, travel, accommodation, groceries for cooking special festive meals, etc.
  2. Plan your errands and try to spread them out over a period of weeks, so you don’t end up feeling overwhelmed by trying to do too many things at once.
  3. Do your shopping online, or go to the mall outside of peak times when the shops will be less crowded.
  4. Make sure all your insurance policies (for travel, break-ins, etc) are up to date.
  5. Ask for help – don’t try to do everything on your own.
  6. Stick to a balanced diet and keep your portions small, so you can enjoy holiday treats without over-indulging. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  7. Make sure you schedule some quiet time for yourself to relax and de-stress.
  8. Put a limit on your daily screen time. Switch off your laptop and put your phone on silent.
  9. Be aware that things could change without warning due to the pandemic. If you’re booking accommodation, find out about their cancellation and refund policies. This will help to prevent you from losing money unexpectedly.
  10. Follow the health and safety measures in place, such as wearing your mask and washing your hands.

After a challenging year, you deserve a happy and stress-free holiday season. Make the most of it by planning ahead and taking steps to protect your health.