'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #1 Plan

[AARPRachelA]

The days are getting shorter, which means the holiday season is almost upon us. Oftentimes, the holidays are accompanied by unwelcome guests - stress, depression and anxiety. They require a dizzying assortment of demands - cooking, shopping, decorating, cleaning, and entertaining. And with the continued COVID-19 pandemic, you may be feeling additional stress and anxiety, or worrying about your loved ones' health.

But with some useful tips, you can minimize the stress that comes with the holidays. Follow along for a new tip every week. You may end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would ❤️

Tip #1: Plan

A lot of moving parts must come together for holiday celebrations. For those of us that will be hosting or helping with get-togethers, don't fret! Sometimes the tasks involved with planning for a party can overwhelm and negate the fun a party can bring. Before you even start your to-do list, Priya Parker, a group facilitator and author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, says to think carefully about the purpose of getting people together.

Assembling your to-do list can also feel daunting. If you break it down into smaller parts, it makes things feel less overwhelming. For example:

• Determine your budget
• Plan your menus and then make your shopping lists
• Consider if you will be utilizing online shopping for any of your items
• Set aside days for shopping, baking, cooking, decorating and socializing
• Line up help for meal prep, decorating and cleaning

Do you have your own planning tips? Share them now!

Check out the other tips to kick that holiday stress to the curb!

• 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #2 Set Boundaries
• 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #3 Moderation
• 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #4 Practice Gratitude
• 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #5 Exercise
• 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #6 Get Enough Sleep
• 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #7 Practice Kindness
• 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #8 Spend Time with People You Enjoy

For additional brain health tips and tools, visit Staying Sharp now.

[2Papa]

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