FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️: LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS - PART 4

The holiday season is here! You and I both know the next 2 months have their share of stressors. Listen to the entire LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS series for nuggets that help you tap into the holiday vibes you want to create for who you are NOW - here in midlife and beyond!

This fourth and final episode of the series covers a few strategies to help you manage your holiday stress. Use them to minimize the stress that flows into your life this time of year and maximize your joy!

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My Made For Midlife & Beyond Holiday Planner is available to help you prioritize self-care and simplify the holidays, all while letting go of limiting beliefs. Get it for free at
https://karli-newman.myflodesk.com/holiday-planner-2024

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Want to immerse in the FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️ community? Head to my website flipsideofmidlife.com where you can sign up for free emails you want to receive, become a member of ELEVATE, attend events, and work with me one-on-one.

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Transcript

FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️: LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS - PART 4

Hello and welcome back to FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️! 

This is the fourth and final episode of the LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS series that I created to help you notice how midlife and beyond influences your thoughts and feelings about this time of year.

Here we are at the end of October with the holiday season upon us. As you know, the next two months on the calendar come with more than their fair share of stressors. In previous episodes, I covered two of the most commonly reported stress inducers, gift-giving and meal planning. 

But what else is on your list, my friend?

{MUSIC INTRO} 

Did that little music break give you enough time to think of a few things that cause your stress levels to rise during the holidays? 

Whether it's family dynamics, a hectic travel schedule, or a budget gone awry, you probably anticipate some big emotions and increased stress in the next two months. 

When you think ahead, you can identify the coping strategies that help you manage stress and experience the holidays differently this year.

Here are a few you can add to your wellness toolbox. Pull them out for the holiday season and keep them close by for the rest of the year, too.

Use mini mindfulness breaks. Sometimes the chaos of the holidays knocks you off your feet. One of the simplest and most effective ways to manage stress in those moments is to take a mini mindfulness break. 

These breaks don't have to be long. Even two minutes is enough to center yourself. Take longer breaks if you can.

Step away to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Maybe look out a window to focus on the details outside. Or simply find a quiet spot to tune into your body to notice and release tension.

Short, intentional breaks can reset your nervous system, calm your mind, and help you feel grounded.

Another way to cope with holiday stress is to limit exposure to stressful inputs. You don't always realize how much the external environment affects your internal state.

Whether it's scrolling through social media, watching the news, or hearing family disagreements, this type of input can be a major trigger for feelings of stress.

What can you do this holiday season to intentionally limit your exposure to stressful stimuli? 

Leave your device behind? Say no to an invitation? Set boundaries around topics of conversation? 

Control what you expose yourself to to create space for more positive, peaceful moments. You'll feel so much lighter when you curate your environment to support a calm and joyful holiday season.

Speaking of boundaries, another coping mechanism to use is to set boundaries with your time. 

This is the year to realize a jam-packed calendar does not feel good. Just looking at a schedule with no white space on it can induce feelings of stress. Don't do it to yourself, my friend. Think about what feels best for you.

Boundaries are underutilized tools for reducing stress. It's okay to set limits on your time and energy. It's okay to say no to events or commitments that require you to overextend yourself. It's okay to make space for rest during the holidays. 

Set clear boundaries with your time to protect your well-being and preserve your joy. No one else is going to do it for you, my friend. 

And one last strategy to manage your stress is to foster flexibility. 

Flexibility is a tool for your well-being, not only during the holidays. You can choose to release rigid expectations and go with the flow of the moment. 

When you find yourself resisting, ask yourself why. If it isn't a situation where your safety or firm boundaries are in jeopardy, then you may want to let go of your resistance and choose flexibility.

Is it that important to stick with the original plan when it no longer feels right? Does it really matter to have the last word in an argument? Do you need to hold on to old traditions when they don't fit your life like they once did? 

The more you foster flexibility, the more you learn about its quiet power. It's not always easy, but you, my friend, can do hard things!

Here in midlife and beyond, your thoughts and feelings about the holidays are probably different than they were ten years ago. Heck, maybe they're different than they were last year. 

This holiday season, remember that you're in control of how much stress you allow into your life. Incorporate these strategies so you can fully embrace the joy of the season. 

As always, I'm here cheering you on as you travel your journey of personal growth. I love to hear your thoughts and experiences, so please reach out at karli@flipsideofmidlife.com. 

My Made for Midlife and Beyond Holiday Planner is available to help you prioritize self-care and simplify the holidays all while letting go of limiting beliefs. Get it for free at the link in the show notes or transcript. 

Thanks for listening to FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️. I'm Karli Newman and it is my calling to help women like you tap into your positive mindset and inner expertise to see and seize the possibilities around you. You don't have to travel this journey of midlife and beyond alone.

The FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️ is where you connect more deeply with yourself and other positive, kind, and fun women who get it. Want to be part of this community? Head to flipsideofmidlife.com where you can sign up for free emails you want to receive, become a member of ELEVATE, attend events, and work with me one-on-one.

I'll be back soon with another episode to inspire and guide you to whole-life wellness in midlife and beyond. Please share FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️ with other women by subscribing, following, rating, or writing a quick review. 

Enjoy the holiday season, my friend! 

{MUSIC OUTRO}