The holidays are, for many of us, an amazing time of year filled with friends, family, and so many opportunities to make wonderful memories. Despite all that, it can also be a draining time that leaves us needing just a little time to ourselves – which can be hard to come by. Here are some of our favourite, and easy ways to disconnect and unwind during the holidays.
The first thing we recommend is to not take everything on yourself. When it comes to holiday gatherings, meals, and get-togethers, it should not be on one person to handle the load. If you’re the person who normally handles ALL of the festivities, delegate some responsibilities and give yourself time to breathe.
If you’re taking time off work for the holidays, really take that time off. Try your best to stay away from work emails and calls, and if you have to keep an eye on emails, make sure your out-of-office notification is on so that your coworkers know that you may not be getting back to them right away.
Further, on the subject of disconnecting, literally… We know that you’re probably waiting for texts, emails, and calls from your kids, or your family about plans, reservations, and arrival times, but all of those notifications can cause stress, and unneeded stimulation. Even when it’s not work related, a constant stream of incoming messages and calls can be overwhelming. If you can manage it, try and keep your screen time to the essentials, so you can be present and in the moment during time with loved ones.
The same is true for the rest of the family. Set times of the day where technology stays off and put away, whether it’s for an hour in the morning, an hour before bed, or during family meal time. Giving everyone an even playing field to connect in person (even if some are reluctant to put down those iPads) is a great way to make the most out of get-togethers.
Regardless of the fact that many of us look forward to this time of year, getting lost in the “go, go go!” mindset is an easy way to miss some of those special moments with the people most important to you. Whether you’ll have guests visiting that need their own space – or the hectic nature of the season has you feeling the need to take a little staycation. You can always count on our Maritime Hospitality to make you feel welcome and take stress off your plate.
