Tips for Surviving the Holidays in New Orleans

Holiday songs say it's the most wonderful time of the year, but for many people, this is also a stressful time of the year. We’ve put together some tips to help you manage the stress so you can focus on enjoying the holidays.

Hire Some Help

Are you feeling completely overwhelmed by the thought of everything you have to do, from decorating your apartment for the holidays to shopping, wrapping, and more? There's no need to stress yourself out trying to be a superhero by doing it all alone. Consider hiring a helper, like the team at Consider It Done in NOLA. Getting someone to share the workload could be the best gift you give yourself this year.

Stick to a Budget

Money stress is a top worry for many people during the holidays. Decide in advance before shopping how much you can realistically afford to spend on gifts and decorations and make a resolution to stick to that limit. Don't be afraid to look at discount stores for bargains on appropriate but affordable items.

Eat Healthy Food

When life gets hectic, nutrition often takes a backseat. After all, if you have a full night of errands to run after a long day at work, it's easy to just run through a fast food drive-thru. You'll definitely feel better mentally and physically if you focus on good nutrition — but that doesn't mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen. Local meal delivery services like Healthy Course Meals will bring nutritious meals right to your door. 

Shop Online

One of the most unpleasant parts about holiday shopping is that your fellow shoppers are just as rushed as you are, which means you'll probably spend a long time waiting in line with a few cranky people. Save yourself the headache and find exactly what you're looking for by ordering gifts online. If you have to shop in person, try taking a morning or afternoon off work to shop during off-peak times.

Just Say No

While you may feel you have to accept every invitation, you truly don’t have to. Prioritize the most important ones that fit within your schedule the best and say no or postpone the others. Your friends and family may be just as happy to have one thing moved back from their list as well.

You can make the holidays more enjoyable and less stressful. It just requires a little planning, delegation, and creative thinking. Share the work and it will give you more time to be festive.