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The Holidays Made Easy and Stress-free (for those with a chronic illness)




The onset of the holidays can be a particularly stressful time of the year for those with an illness or disability.
The amount of energy needed for all the tasks involved keeps increasing every year, while our own strength keeps diminishing.
 However, there are ways to make the holidays easier and stress-free.

 Focus on God  

When I focus my life on Jesus and obeying Him, things take their proper place. Peace is restored and life becomes easier again (Matthew 11:28-30). During the holidays, take the focus off the food, gifts, entertaining and decorating and put it back on Jesus.
Below are a few easy ideas to put this into practice:
  • Spend (uninterrupted) time praying and in the bible (pray the bible)
  • Pray about your holiday plans and any anxieties
  • Sign up for a Thanksgiving (or Christmas) Devotional
  • Play and Sing Hymns and similar music
  • Give thanks for the simple things in life
  • Invite Christ to be your honored guest in all your plans and celebrations1
  • Help, Pray or Give to those in need

Lower Your Expectations

Each year when I see all of the tempting holiday items and commercial ads, my mind starts racing. I started creating elaborate holiday plans.  And most years, my plans go unfulfilled due to my illness.
Lowering my expectations of the holidays has helped tremendously, especially when I end up sick with the flu. It is a way of accepting that things are out of my control, especially with an illness. But whatever happens, I still can focus on God.
Moreover, lowering my expectations helps keep my plans realistic. But there are still many things I can do, if I keep things simple.

Keep it Simple Silly (KISS)

Keeping the holidays simple may be easier said than done. But there are ways, if you are willing, to make things simple. If you have taken the focus off of food, gifts, people, decorating and onto Jesus, it is easier to keep it simple.  Below are just a few ideas:     

Cooking

  • Eat out at a Restaurant
  • Buy Your Holiday Meal
  • Pay someone to cook
  • Cook semi-homemade
  • Go to someone else’s house
  • Let others cook or bring a dish

Gifts

  • Buy, ship and wrap your gifts online
  • Buy your gifts in bulk (give the same gifts away to everyone)

Entertainment

  • Watch a Holiday movie (online)
  • Make paper snowflakes
  • Play board games
  • Take a drive (go see the Christmas lights)

Cleaning

  • Buy disposable items     
  • Pay someone to clean your home
  • Break it down into small tasks performed over a week
  • Don’t say no if guests offer to help afterward
  • Read my guide on cleaning
Even after I have kept things simple, I find that I am still doing too much. That is when I put a limit on my holiday activities.

Put a Limit on It

Whatever it is that you do each year, put a limit on it. This can mean instead of going to three gift exchange parties go to only one or two. If you love to decorate, focus the decor on the table and the front door instead of the whole house. Don’t spend more than $10 on each present. Loves parties, limit the amount of time you spend at the party and so on.  Part of putting a limit on it includes prioritizing and planning via a list.


Make and List and Check it Twice

When I have too much to do, I always make a list. This always helps me when I feel overwhelmed. Before you make list, pray about what things you can focus on during your holiday that will be memorable for you and your family2.  Are you afraid that your list will be too long – focus only on three things!
Now pray over your plans. Break down any large projects into small action items and write them down. Then, rate each task as High (H), Medium (M), or Low (L) priorities so that you know what needs to be done first and last. Be sure to delegate and KISS. Save your plans electronically (evernote.com). One grand plan could be a vacation!

Take a Vacation (or a staycation)

The most memorable holidays have always been vacation holidays for most of us. Depending on your health or finances, a vacation may not be the best option. But you can still plan a staycation. During a staycation, do the things that you would normally enjoy on a vacation and not things you normally leave behind. This typically would include a list of places to visit;  packing a lunch (or finding a gluten-free restaurant); and avoiding work, chores, electronics and other duties.
With a little research, you can find many places to visit and even many free events.  Be sure to check out the calendar of events for cities close by to you. Below are some great ideas for what to do (and not do) during your staycation:
While a vacation is the most memorable, the most rewarding holiday comes from doing good to those in need.

Do Good to Others

Doing good may be the most rewarding of all Christmas plans. I find this easy to accomplish if I just add to whatever I am already doing for myself or my family. (Philippians 2:4) For example, simply take a plate from your Thanksgiving meal to a person who is homebound or buy an extra gift (online) for someone without a family.
The Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree Program and Salvation Army and many other charities need your help as well. You can even give online, from the comfort of your own home.

What has helped you cope with the stress of the Holidays? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Sources:

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