Ever wondered how Santa is able to deliver millions of gifts to kids around the world and still stay jolly and sane?
The big guy is a pro at managing stress.
What’s his secret?
Let’s take a closer look at how Santa keeps his cool during the holidays and see how we can use the very same strategies to avoid stress this season.
#1 Elves galore!
Santa isn’t stitching every teddy bear himself. He’s got an entire workshop of hardworking elves to keep things running smoothly.
He does the most important work, for sure—that of delivering the gifts to good boys and girls, but he has an army of motivated do-gooders to create magic.
And he welcomes and appreciates their help very much. Santa doesn’t believe in “If you want things done right, better do it yourself.” That’s a recipe for stress this holiday season.
Action Plan: Share the load!
Delegate. Don’t spread yourself too thinly. Ask for help.
If you’re hosting, let others bring dishes to the party. Have your kids wrap presents, or ask your partner to handle the decorations. Even outsourcing tasks—like gift wrapping or house cleaning—can free up your time for what matters most.
Santa doesn’t micromanage, and neither should you.
Have you thought of who your magical elves will be?
#2 Naughty or Nice?
Santa’s list is the epitome of simplicity. Children are either naughty or nice.
There’s no middle ground, there are no shades of gray.
The list is also, dare I say, ruthless.
“Naughty” ones don’t get any presents. And the more naughty ones on the list, the less work to do. You should be similarly ruthless. What I mean is you should streamline things this holiday season.
You don’t have to do everything. And everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
Action Plan: Simplify!
Instead of hosting an elaborate 12-dish “handaan,” choose a menu with fewer items that you actually enjoy cooking.
Trim your gift list. Give one meaningful gift per person, instead of getting several small ones. Or, give gifts per family instead of per individual.
Shop online and skip the lines
Not every dish has to be from scratch. Incorporate pre-made semi-homemade dishes. You’ll save hours and no one will really mind.
Unless decorations are your thing, and decorating around the house relaxes you, buy finished decorations that you hang and forget. And instead of decorating the whole house, zero in on a specific corner of the house that is most impactful.
Learn to say “No” to some events. Decide in advance which parties you really want to attend (Put them on the “Nice” list.) Then appreciate but then politely decline others to avoid overloading your calendar.
Fewer moving parts mean less stress.
#3 Singin’ & Dancin’
Santa and his elves don’t just work. They whistle while they work. They break into song and perform a carol or a jingle. Even Santa’s reindeer seem to be prancing.
Action Plan: Jiggle & Wiggle
Inject some joy into the season by playing festive music and letting loose. Dance while hanging up decorations, sing along while in the kitchen, have your favorite holiday musical playing in the background, and make holiday chores fun instead of overwhelming.
#4 HoHo Ho!
Santa is busiest during this time of the year, you’d think he can’t be bothered. But instead, you’ll hear him laughing all the way, not taking himself too seriously.
Nor does he think everything needs to be perfect.
Laughter reduces stress and boosts the mood, making it the ultimate holiday hack.
Action Plan: Induce laughter!
When things get stressful, like when the cookies burn or one of the “pamangkins” knocks over the tree, find a way to laugh about it.
Don’t take yourself or your parties too seriously. At the end of the day, the most important thing is not that you have thrown the perfect party, but that you and your guests have enjoyed yourselves immensely.
Guests will take cues from the host, they won’t let loose or let their hair down if the host is freaking out. So instead of being busy and uptight, be the loudest cracker in the bunch.
Play those silly games you’ve seen other groups and families have done in the past.
Watch a holiday comedy or share funny holiday memories with family, or simply take a deep breath and let the little mishaps roll off your shoulders.
Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff.
#5 Milk & Cookies
Did you ever see Santa rush his deliveries?
Nope, he takes his time.
Santa makes plenty of pit stops during his journey—not just for the kids, but for a cookie and milk break here and there.
If, even Santa, on his busiest day of the year, can stop for a break or two, surely you can take a break from your holiday chores.
Action Plan: P.A.U.S.E.
Don’t underestimate the power of a pause. When things get too much, take a breather. Whether it’s sipping hot cocoa, taking a short walk, or just sitting quietly for five minutes, a little downtime can help you recharge and refocus.
#6 Give
Maybe Santa’s “happy pill” is the fact that he’s the most generous fellow around.
Studies have shown that giving helps reduce stress and anxiety. Research has found that the act of giving results in diminished activity in the amygdala, the region of the brain stimulated during stressful circumstances.
But more than reducing stress, giving elicits a feeling of euphoria, or a sense of happiness by the giver. This is borne out in research where giving creates the condition for happiness.
It’s not that giving makes you feel less miserable, it actually feel joy and fulfillment.
Action Plan: Give!
Be in the mood for giving this Holiday season—not just of material gifts, but of your time and your attention.
Some acts of “giving” you can do this December include:
Bake cookies for neighbors.
Donate to a cause you care about.
Donate old toys to an orphanage.
Surprise someone with a small, heartfelt, and handwritten note.
Give little cash gifts/tips to people who make your life easier—like garbage collectors, taxi drivers, neighborhood tanod, etc. Not only will you make their day with the unexpected largesse, but you will reap lasting rewards on your health.
Santa, as we all know, might be a fictional character, but the stress during the holidays is real. With these practical tips, you and your family can sidestep the strain of the season and have a genuinely enjoyable time.
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