You've already experienced holiday stress. You know what it looks like! Think back to last year. What did you and your family enjoy the most ...and the least? Remember how you felt on the day after Thanksgiving, December 26th or January 2nd last year. How would you like to feel after the holidays this year?

You wanted to serve the perfect meal, but you didn't have time to make that special sauce of yours. You wanted to create an awe inspiring holiday table spread with a unique homemade centerpiece but your creativity got shut down. You wanted everything to be perfect. It was not. Are you blaming yourself now? Don't spend one minute in that state! Take a deep breath and exhale with a big sound of relief!

The rush of holiday travel, entertaining, shopping, buying, baking... it all creates havoc. When thoughts of gifts, cookies, greeting cards, place settings and time running out floods your mind it will steal away your enjoyment and cause you to question how you will survive yet another holiday season. Is that how you really want to spend your holiday?

If not.... here's what to do:

1. Remove the shoulds of the season: It is easy to fall into the trap of over scheduling at this time of year. Holidays are often filled with the shoulds of society. Remember that just because TV commercials, radio ads or even past traditions say something should be done a certain way doesn't mean it's best for everyone. Be selective or the 'suppose to do's' will control your holiday season.
   
   
2. Have realistic expectations and prioritize: Remember what is really important and be realistic with what you can do with your time, energy and other resources. Quality time with family is never based on the type of tree, table settings or the other decorations. To help you prioritize ask yourself, "If I had half as much time, how would I choose to use that time?"
   
   
3. Identify what stresses you out: Take a minute and list what you find most stressful about the holidays. Include everyday stress as well. Look over the list and eliminate what you can. Do the bills need to be paid? Would you feel better if the holiday meal was planned? As you face the causes of stress on your list, the stress will melt away.
   
   
4. No Regrets: Allow the holidays to be the positive, healthy celebration they are meant to be. Avoid choices that will result in debt, diets or embarrassments. Spending beyond your means or eating past healthy boundaries may be aimed at filling an unmet need. If the holidays are a difficult time of year and you are unsure why but find yourself making choices you wish you could take back, seek guidance. Avoid falling into regrets through an unrealized attempt to compensate.
   
   
5. Take care of yourself: Healthy habits such as eating well or exercising are often abandoned when we become overwhelmed from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Such choices leave us tired and worn out. It is especially true during the Holidays that you can't give what you don't have. This year make healthy, energy-generating habits a priority. Exercise to eliminate stress and increase stamina, limit your sugar intake and eat healthy whole foods.
   
   
6. Sleep tight: Most of us are already suffering from sleep deprivation and the holidays often take more out of us than we appreciate. After a full day of holiday activities the body and mind require sleep to recover and rejuvenate. The more the body is denied this opportunity to fully recover, the more the immune system becomes suppressed and the likelihood of illness increases. It isn't worth getting sick. Get enough sleep.
   
   
7. Remove your ego: Our egos often get in the way during the holidays. We may unconsciously fall into competition with a friend or family member or take advantage of the payoffs of martyrdom. No true or lasting pleasure is attained this way. More often, our ego is responsible for stealing the peace and enjoyment we could have in our lives. You must ask yourself why you are really working this hard for the holidays. What do you have to prove?
   
   
8. Eliminate Perfectionism: Do you want perfectionism or peace? In order to have peace through the holiday season embrace your imperfection. The drive to be perfect or have things perfect for the holidays adds tensions and steals joy. Accept that life will happen despite well laid plans and enjoy going with the flow and not knowing exactly how things will turn out. It is a much more enjoyable way to spend the holidays.
   
   
9. Streamline to save time: Time is a precious commodity during the holidays. Brainstorm ways to save time this holiday season. Shop through the year, use catalogues or shop online. Hire a personal shopper or someone to run errands for you. Spend less time in front of the TV and choose uplifting programming. Limit watching the news as it often brings lots of negative energy, which can zap a person's energy.
   
   
10. Ask for help: Delegating is an excellent way to save time and engage everyone. By involving the family and your friends in decorating, making gifts or preparing the meal they can enjoy the time together and will share a sense of pride in the outcome. Plus by asking for help you will have more time to enjoy your holiday.
    
    
11. Relax: Think of activities that allow you to put your feet up and relax. Plan an evening of pampering with pedicures holiday style or sit down as a family to watch a Christmas movie, read a holiday classic to your children or sit around the living room and sing your favorite carols. Integrate relaxation into your holiday by starting new traditions that are less stressful and full of meaningful.
    
    
12. Change your thinking (Think positive!): Redefine what the holidays are all about for you. Is this a religious holiday, a time for family, a celebration? Release the concerns, worries and expectations of the holidays and get back to the real meaning. If receiving presents is a main focus use the opportunity to share a lesson in the value of giving. Cultivate a sense of the true spirit of the season.
    
    

Embrace these changes and do more than survive... make your holiday experience magnificent! Some of these tips may seem difficult maybe even unrealistic but with the proper support they are very possible.

Happy holidays!

Nathalie Ekobo

Nathalie Ekobo, M.S., M.A., L.M.T. is an internationally renowned Certified SRT Teacher and Consultant, Success Coach, and Speaker. Nathalie, founder of Be Magnifique™, has been teaching individuals how to unveil their Essence to be in their magnificence for over five years. Her practice is all about empowering people by helping them get in touch with their Inner Power and live the life they truly desire by removing blocks they sometimes did not know they had! To do so, she uses Spiritual Response Therapy (SRT) - which she calls the "most efficient technique out there" - as well as many other coaching tools, gentle guidance, and endearing humor.

Nathalie is available for private sessions, group coaching sessions, talks, workshops and seminars.