It is getting harder and harder each year to have a stress-free Christmas. According to the American Institute of Stress, a third of Americans suffer from extreme stress, while more than two-thirds experience stress that negatively impacts their physical health – and that’s without adding on the additional stress of holiday shopping, hosting, and bills.

Fortunately, you can take a few steps to alleviate Christmas stress before it appears. Our guide will help you tackle the following:

• Gift buying
• Daily self-care
• Creating boundaries with loved ones
• Avoiding the trap of social media
• And more

It’s time to live out your Christmas card messages and truly enjoy your happy holidays.

8 Tips For A Relaxing, Stress-Free Christmas This Year

1. Make A Plan

One of the most stressful things about Christmas is buying everyone’s gifts, but you can reduce this stress by planning well in advance. It’s best to begin buying gifts months before Christmas, and this plan can be easy with so many online options that deliver straight to your door.

First, create a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for, and then start researching online and choosing gifts at places like Etsy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart. You can ship them all to your door, wrap them, and tuck them away before the big day arrives.

2. Take Time For Yourself Daily

As magical as the holidays are, sometimes all the people, lights, and good cheer can be overstimulating. If you suddenly feel overwhelmed at a party or while looking at your to-do lists, take five minutes to be alone.

If you cultivate the practice of being alone for a few moments every day, you will begin to notice you handle stressful situations better. This alone time can include meditation, journaling, or simply breathing.

3. Create Boundaries

If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that Christmas is busy. Don’t feel like you need to say yes to everything. Creating boundaries is a surefire way to have a stress-free Christmas.

If you can’t attend another party, politely decline. If you don’t feel comfortable with a certain topic, excuse yourself. The point of the holidays is to surround yourself with loved ones. Make sure you make time for them by setting boundaries where needed.

4. If You Can’t Make It, Buy It

This advice pertains to any Christmas meals, parties, or gatherings. If you are already making three dishes but need that pumpkin pie, buy it. If you need to bring a dish to a potluck party but don’t have time to throw something together, purchase a dish from your local grocery store or favorite restaurant.

Don’t feel guilty if you can’t make everything from scratch. For most of us, it’s unreasonable.

5. Move Your Body

A stress-free Christmas is one part good mental health and another part good physical health. Moving your body will always make you feel better at Christmas time and any time.

If you feel stressed, walk around your neighborhood, stretch for 10 minutes, or dance in your living room. Moving your body every day is proven to make your body and mind feel great, especially if you tend to get into all the holiday treats.

6. Avoid Social Media

Christmas is about enjoying what you have and giving more to others in need. Social media is bound to make you feel insecure when you compare yourself to everyone’s highlight reel.

Never forget social media is just that – the highlights. It can be easy to forget everyone’s life has ups and downs. Christmas can be stressful enough, so avoid social media to preserve your emotional and mental well-being.

7. Don’t Forget To Add Joy

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the busy Christmas season, but don’t forget to add moments of happiness to the mix. It’s the memories with your loved ones that will last forever, not the toys under the tree.

Take time to watch your favorite holiday movie, visit a Christmas tree farm, see the Nutcracker, or bake cookies with your family – anything that adds joy to your life and allows you to remember the reason for the season.

8. Get An Emergency Loan For Urgent Expenses

It’s hard to have a stress-free Christmas when an unexpected bill or expense appears on your doorstep. If you’re suddenly faced with an urgent bill and need cash to cover it, consider a car title loan from New Mexico Title Loans, Inc. You could get between $300 and $10,000 on the day you apply or the following business day.

Our Quick Title Loan Process

Qualifying for a car title loan in NM is much simpler than qualifying for traditional bank loans. To apply, you'll need the following: 

• Driver’s License or State Issued I.D.
• Lien-Free Title to Your Vehicle
• Your Vehicle for Inspection

First, fill out our homepage form and complete a quick call with one of our representatives. Then, you’ll arrange a time and place to meet – it could even be at your home! – where the representative will look over your paperwork and vehicle.

If all is approved, you’ll receive your money that day or the next, at the latest. Say goodbye to the stress of that bill and hello to a more peaceful Christmas.

Start Feeling Less Stressed Today

It’s time we replace our stress with confidence, from our interpersonal relationships to our finances. The new year is around the corner, and New Mexico Title Loans, Inc. is here to offer a helping hand with your finances so you can have a stress-free Christmas.

If you’re feeling financial stress because of an urgent expense, contact us to learn more about a car title loan. You may be able to cover your emergency in full and set yourself up for a better start to your new year. 

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.