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Time Management during the Holidays
Contributor: Leigh Bell, BA, writer for Eating Disorder Hope
Some holidays I want to call the nine ladies dancing from “The 12 Days of Christmas” over to my house to help. There’s the shopping, school performances, Christmas parties, visiting friends and family etc. Add maintaining recovery from an eating disorder and you need to efficiently manage your time.
First, take a deep breath. Several of them, several times a day. There are even phone apps to help you remember and to guide you in effective breathing for relaxation. Breathing can help lower cortisol, the stress-inducing hormone, and increase focus. [1]
Now, remember why we celebrate the holidays. To enjoy time with friends and family, not to worry, fret, and compromise our recovery. Only you will know what baking, shopping or cleaning didn’t get completed. [2] Here are some tips to manage you time, and in turn, manage your recovery. [3]
1. Set priorities.
You can’t do everything. And you can’t do everything perfectly. Intentionally reflect on traditions that are important to you and your family and which ones you can live without.
2. Get started early and plan ahead.
Think ahead and start doing tasks before the holiday rush of friends and family. Shop, clean, or work ahead of time so everything doesn’t hit you at once when you’re trying to focus on your family.
3. Shop online.
Who really wants to go to a mall during Christmas? Nobody I know. Shopping online saves time and money. Be aware of shipping deadlines who you get your stuff in time. Also check out sites like amazon.com where a “Prime” member can get most items shipped in two days for free.
4. Make a schedule
Use your phone or buy/make a Christmas planner where you can see your complete holiday schedule. Is it realistic? Have you considered driving time? At least two weeks before the holiday, write down everything you need to buy.
5. Recruit help.
Give a to-do list to your spouse and children, if they’re out enough, and let them help. If you’re hosting a holiday party ask people to bring side dishes or desserts. You can always hire people to help. Maybe a housekeeper or babysitter just during the holidays would give your more to prepare and focus on recovery.
6. Simplify.
If you can make it easier, do it. Send Christmas cards to just close friends and family and don’t feel obligated to include a long personalized note. Buy cookies instead of baking them. Use gift bags instead of wrapping. Draw names in your family instead of buying for each individual.
You can easily tackle – and enjoy – the holidays and maintain recovery if you plan ahead and management your time efficiently.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
How have you been able to improve your time management during the holidays?
References
[1]: Time Management Techniques to Help You Study Over the Holidays. (2014, December 17). Retrieved October 22, 2015.[2]: Bartos, L. (2012, December 1). Time Management for the Holidays (holidaymanagement). Retrieved October 22, 2015.
[3]: Seven Time Management Tips for the Holidays | The Parents’ Club of Palo Alto and Menlo Park. (2011). Retrieved October 22, 2015.
About the Author: Leigh Bell holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Creative Writing and French from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She is a published author, journalist with 15 years of experience, and a recipient of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism. Leigh is recovered from a near-fatal, decade-long battle with anorexia and the mother of three young, rambunctious children.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 16, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
