The Holidays! What are your stress-relievers?
For me, it’s cooking in advance and freezing, buying presents starting in November, and making the food on Christmas Eve delivery not home made (they love the famous local place’s chicken fingers so everyone is satisfied).
What are some of the tips you use to cut the holiday stress? Family plus RA plus emotions plus get-togethers = MOST STRESSFUL TIME OF YEAR! 😖🎄
Once I let go of all of the expectations I had of myself - the baking, decorating, shopping (ick, so not a shopper) and personal notes on each card, a whole lot of my holiday stress went away. But it took me awhile to adjust to this new way of celebrating the season.
Last year my right hand became to painful to use after a few days of working on cards. This year, folks are getting a picture with no personal note and they best be happy and merry about it 😀
, I hear you! It can be hard to let go of those expectations, but I have learned that most people don't even notice and if they do, they rarely care. Then, I can save my time and energy for the people closest to me (and, the occasional stranger). Losing the expectations feels like the lifting of a very heavy weight off of one's shoulders. 😀
I hope your friends and family are fine with the picture and that you have a wonderful, low stress holiday season!
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting go of those expectations. I too have lowered my own bar to how I will be handling the holiday and I don't' feel bad about it at all. I'm actually at peace and have told my family and they completely get it and understand. Talk about reassurance. They too want to focus more on themselves and their mental health and I think that's awesome. The holidays are a wonderful time, but regardless of the day or season, we have to put ourselves first. I hope you have the most peaceful and light holiday without any stress or pressure. Kindly, Latoya (Team Member)
Totally agree with letting go of the expectations, catered meal, and no decorating to make holiday less stressful. If I bake it’s a pie or pumpkin bread where it’s one motion to get in/out of oven. Unlike cookies which can take hours of standing over stove. And the specialty stores have such yummy baked goods anyways! My one and only daughter is grown (no grandchildren…yet) so gifts are not an issue. We gift each other through out the year. We focus on making memories, and spending time together.
I love this! Focusing on spending time together and making memories sounds like a wonderful and stress free way to spend the holidays. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
This year I'm sort of canceling Christmas. At least at my house. We will celebrate at our kids'. The thought of not having to put up a tree, decorate it, water it, and then take it back down and out is such a relief. My other Christmas decorations will stay snug in the closet, maybe they will venture out next year. I will concentrate on shopping for gifts, always the best part, and enjoy time spent with our kids and their families. And I will enjoy making Christmas-themed table runners as gifts. There is Christmas galore in my sewing room as I'm surrounded by holiday fabrics.
I'm so glad that you've worked something out that you're comfortable with and feels good for you! Personally, it doesn't sound like you're cancelling Christmas so much as focusing on what you enjoy most and what's important to you. There are so many ways to celebrate and be in the spirit of the holidays, I love that you're not subscribing to what you think "should" be. Enjoy the time doing the things that you like the best! Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) 
Hi
. Sounds like there is plenty of Christmas in your plans, just in a way that is manageable for you at this time. Enjoy that time with the family! Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Hello. My family and I started getting our meals pre prepared. It has helped tremendously and all that’s left to prepare are a couple of sides.
May I ask which company you buy from? Cooking has become hard for me but my husband does help. Still, the thought of prepped meals sounds like a vacation to me. Thanks! Nothing like getting a head start to the holidays to help make things easier. I want to know what's on the menu! -Kindly, Latoya (Team Member)
