The holidays are quickly approaching. For many, the holiday season and feelings of cheerfulness do not go together. The constant pressures from selecting the perfect gifts, work and family celebrations, travel, and disruptions in normal routines can lead to holiday burnout.
Three helpful tips can help you spread holiday cheer clear into the new year.
Regardless of which holiday your family will be celebrating, these tips can help reduce stress and bring back the joy.
1. Say “no” more.
• Give yourself permission to say no and set healthy boundaries. It seems everyone is pulling for more of your time during the holidays: holiday work party, family commitments, and school parties and events.
• Make a list of your top priorities to help you stay focused on what is important and say “no” to things that are time- and money-drainers.
2. Plan ahead.
• What are your traditions? Do they still have meaning for you?
• When it comes to family commitments and traditions, keep what fits and let go of the rest.
• Communicate with your family to ensure that you are all on the same page.
• Try making a holiday calendar ahead of time so everyone knows the commitments to decrease stress and prevent overbooking.
3. Set a budget.
• Set a budget to avoid falling into the trap of buy, buy, buy.
• Remember the importance of the gift of time.
Spending quality time is often more appreciated and valued by family and friends than any material gift. It might seem too simple, but the gift of time is often overlooked in the busy season.
Stop by Grandma’s house for a long conversation.
• Leave your cellphone in the car and just be present.
• Notice the smile on your loved one’s face as you intentionally make time to focus on them.
As you head into the holiday season take a deep breath, try these steps and enjoy.
We are wishing you a cheerful holiday season and a happy new year.
Refrigerator needed for Extension office
The Extension office is looking for a commercial refrigerator to replace the one in the Exhibit Hall that finally went kaput after many years. If you have a working commercial refrigerator that you are looking to get rid of, please let us know. We will come remove it for you.
Save the dates
Save the dates for Tuesday evenings in April.
Do you own property in Archuleta County? Would you like to know more about your land?
The CSU Extension office and the San Juan Conservation District are hosting an in-depth landowner series on stewardship practices on your land.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered every other month by the CSU Extension office, generally on the second Monday and Wednesday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 264-5931 to register.
Check out the online option on our website: https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
