By Lynne Conner
Special to the Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Baking, shopping, traveling, decorating and scheduling can leave anyone stressed over how to pull off a merry Christmas.

The seasonal stress could be exacerbated for some as we cope with a second holiday season under the coronavirus pandemic, said Elaine Sharpe, an associate professor of psychology at Rockford University.

“Last year, many people stayed home and didn’t have to make decisions on whom to visit,” she said. “This year, the stress may be increased as families navigate the questions of, ‘Which places are safest to go?’ and ‘Who do we get to see and how much time do we spend with them?’”

Sharpe says being mindful of your own mental health and well-being will be key to handling holiday stress this year.

“I think families are trying to honor their traditions and create new traditions all while being fair and having positive experiences,” Sharpe said. “For that millennial who wants their kids to have the same Christmas as they remember having — the stress is even higher.”

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Here are five tips Sharpe offers to help you get through holiday stress.

Don’t try to be flawless

Rather than focusing on a flawless holiday, Sharpe recommends deciding which traditions are most important and following those.

“First of all, you have to know what your priorities are. What is most important to you during the holidays?  Then, you have to give yourself permission not to do it perfectly. Hallmark Christmases really don’t exist.  The most memorable Christmases are measured by time spent together doing activities that create memories.”

Acknowledge what’s wrong

“The second part of managing holiday stress is acknowledging your concerns,” she said. “What makes you uncomfortable? How much is too much? We can’t do it all, so do the holiday activities you enjoy. Let go of others and give yourself permission to do things differently.”

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Make healthy habits

Another crucial part of handling holiday stress, Sharpe says, is striving for healthy habits.

“Monitoring your health and well-being is especially important during the holidays. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating healthy food? Are you taking time for exercise? These are all very instrumental in keeping stress in check at this time of the year.”

‘Take a step away’

Taking mini-mental health breaks from holiday stress is another suggestion Sharpe proposes.

“If you’re feeling overwhelmed, feeling like the to-do list is longer than the hours in your day, take a step away,” she said. “Take a deep breath, play with the kids, listen to some music, take a walk outside if the weather allows, just do something that restores a sense of calmness, so you recharge and start again.”

Prioritize what’s most important

Establishing clear priorities, honoring simple family traditions and being mindful of personal well-being go a long way in handling holiday stress.

“One of the things I think we have seen, in light of the pandemic, is that we have really sorted out what’s most important,” Sharpe said. “We are recognizing that it’s OK to take time out for yourself. This is especially important for parents with young children. We do our best celebrating, our best caregiving, when we feel centered and when we feel whole.”

“Kids will remind you of what’s most important during the holidays,” Sharpe said.  “…and that is being together, having fun and having lower stress levels. Enjoy the experience rather than striving for the perfect outcome. Christmas is a season, not just a day and the best gift you can give yourself and others is a stress-free celebration.”

Lynne Conner is a freelance journalist. Email news@rockrivercurrent.com for story tips.