How not to Worry

During the Holidays

Do you typically deal with holiday stress? Want to know how not to worry?

Try this simple cure for worry... Shift your focus.

This simple and profound way to overcome worry takes just a little bit of effort. Here's how to shift your focus...

Use this self-help journaling technique called, "How not to worry about the Holidays."

Right now, get out four pieces of paper.

At the top of each, write the following:

• "Good Memories"
• "Everything I think I have to do or that I feel stressed about"
• "What I think would help make the holidays better"
• "What really matters about the holidays"

Take about 5-10 minutes and fill in your lists. Here's some of what's in mine...

How not to worry during the holidays...

Once you've filled in your lists, go to the "Everything I think I have to do or that I feel stressed about" list and evaluate everything on it.

For each item, ask yourself, "Do I really want to do it? If yes, why? How can I do this in a way that feels fun or stress-free?"

For example...

I don't think I'm going to put a tree this year. I could put up lights in the windows - that would be fun.

Read over your, "What I think would help make the holidays better" list and see if you could find a way to implement anything on that list in a way that feels good and stress-free.

Read over your "Good memories" and "What really matters about the holidays" lists. Identify one or two concepts that stand out for you - like sharing and having fun with family.

Once you have your concept(s), create an intention to experience it during this season.

For example...

My intention is to remember to relax over the holidays and consciously connect with every person I interact with.

Then... anytime you feel stressed or forget what really matters during the holidays - when you're standing in lines, when you are concerned about paying for gifts, when your family isn't getting along...

...Remember your intention and focus on it. This is how not to worry about the holidays.

However, if you'd like more information about how not to worry, go to the page on Stop Worrying. There you'll find several tips on how to stop worrying.