Time Out for Mom During the Holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time for moms. From holiday travel to baking and cooking, you can get overwhelmed and stressed out in a hurry. This holiday season, as difficult as it sometimes is, try to remember to stop and take time for you.

Reduce the Stress:
Do you find yourself so stressed out during the holidays that you can’t even enjoy your company? If so, it’s time to reduce your stress.

* First, ask yourself what tasks you can delegate to family members. Perhaps you can share the responsibility of your family dinner. Have everyone bring a dish. Maybe you need help at home on baking day. Ask your kids to pitch in and help with making cookies or candy or even with the clean-up.

* Next, remember to breathe. When you are in the middle of a stress-filled moment, stop, close your eyes and take in a deep breath. Remind yourself that this day should be filled with happy, joyful memories.

Be Nice to Yourself:
As women, we tend to take care of everyone first, then ourselves last. The problem with this is that usually after we’re finished taking care of everyone else, we have nothing left to give back to ourselves. During the holidays this year, take some time to be nice to you. Here are a few ideas for you:

* Take a coffee break. While you’re out shopping for gifts, stop and take a coffee break. Buy one of your favorite magazines to read while you enjoy your favorite latte.

* Read a book. Buy yourself a new book and allow yourself an afternoon of doing nothing but lying in bed, reading your new book.

* Take a bubble bath. Lock the door, turn off the phone and run a bubble bath for yourself. Relax and forget about all the plans, cooking and presents and just enjoy a nice, relaxing thirty minutes alone. It’s amazing how much these thirty minutes can re-energize you and help you cope with the tasks ahead.