Although the holidays aren’t quite over, you might be looking for a way to unwind when they finally are. The holidays can be particularly stressful, which might leave your body feeling tired and your mind frazzled. On top of that, you might have put on some extra pounds due to the excess foods and stress. Without a doubt, many people tend to spend extra money to help them feel better after such a trying time. However, there are some things you can do to get back on track, so you can feel on top of the world in 2019. These ten tips should help you find yourself again, even if your holiday season was particularly trying.
1. Take Some You Time
During the holidays, it might be hard to find some time to breathe, especially if you have children. This can cause the stress to build, especially as you go from one social event to the next. So, when the holidays are over, take some time for you. It doesn’t matter if you send the kids to the movies with someone else for a couple of hours, or you simply take half an hour during the day, as long as you do find the time to do something that you want to unwind. You don’t have to spend money to do this either. In fact, you might feel better simply by lounging around with a good book or catching up on some TV shows alone. You can even have a spa night to help you unwind and enjoy a holiday free experience.
2. No-Spend January
The holiday season can really take a toll on your budget. From autumn festivals, Halloween supplies, Thanksgiving dinner and all of the December holidays, you’re bound to need some time to catch up on your budget. In order to combat your spending, you might set out to have a no-spend January. Obviously, you’ll have to spend a bit of money on groceries, bills and transportation, but other than that don’t spend money on other items that can be avoided. You might find that not shopping can be a bit therapeutic, especially after all of the shopping you did in previous months. This will also give you the chance to see how much money you can actually save in a month, which might encourage you to curb your spending more often.
3. Embrace Staying In
The holidays tend to mean a lot of hustle and bustle, which can be exhausting. So, as the holidays draw to an end, you might want to embrace staying in for a little while. You can easily cut back on your entertainment budget by not going out on the town. This means no movies, clubs or even restaurants for a little while. You might find a renewed love of your home when you do this, as it will help you find comfort in your favorite items and show you items you might want to change in the future. It will also help you sharpen your cooking skills and will ensure you find new ways to entertain yourself without spending money. This will also give you the appropriate amount of time to rest up. Plus, it never hurts to stay in and avoid the cold weather and sick season.
4. Sell Unwanted Items
If you’re suffering from a bit of a budget crisis over the holiday season, then you can easily make a little extra money by selling some of the items you no longer want or need. For instance, if you received a few gifts you aren’t interested in or you might have duplicates of, then these are great items to put in an online market or sell in your community. You can also sell older items that you might have upgraded over the season. This should give you a little extra spending cash that might help you cut back on the debt you may have incurred while holiday shopping. You can even go through your old items to see if there is anything worth getting rid of. You might be surprised by how much money a yard sale can bring.
5. Earn Extra
Another great way to add some more funds to the household is to take up a side job that you can utilize whenever you need. These jobs usually allow you to work when you want and don’t require you to sign a contract, which can be very helpful. One great option is to try driving for Uber, Lyft or other similar companies. You can even pick up a job writing if that is something you enjoy doing. Data entry and transcribing are other popular jobs that can be picked up on a need-based basis. Online surveys can help you earn gift cards and other discounts that might help you cut back on your spending. You might also consider asking your boss for some extra hours to help push you through the holiday debt.
6. Exercise
Between stress and weight gain, the holidays can do a number on your body. One of the best ways to get back on track is to start exercising. It might not sound like a lot of fun, but you’ll be surprised by how much better you feel after you get started. The exercise won’t just help cut back on your weight but will have your body in better shape which will improve your mood, confidence and overall happiness. Exercising is a great way to relieve stress too, which can help you get over the holiday blues. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a gym membership or even equipment either, as you can start your exercise journey with walking. You can always pick up the speed to go jogging or running. Everyday exercises like pushups, pullups, yoga and more can also help encourage you to feel better without forcing you to spend a penny.
7. Turn Off the Phone
The holidays require a lot of socialization which can really drain you. So, one step to recovery might be to turn off your phone for a little while. This doesn’t mean you have to go without a phone entirely. Instead, try uninstalling social media from your phone for a couple of weeks. A social media detox can actually do you lot of good. These platforms tend to be a bit draining, because they involve shallow conversation, unnecessary debate and may even cause you extra stress. Social media can also breed competition and might force you to compare yourself to others, which isn’t healthy. So, instead of cutting off socialization, you might just cut social media and enjoy face to face relationships instead. Games and other apps can cause stress too without you realizing. It can also prevent you from being productive.
8. Start a Healthy Routine
The holidays can really throw off our routine, which can lead you to feel stressed out. After the holidays, you might want to take a little time to get back on track. You should sit down and review everything that you need to accomplish in a day. Then, make a schedule so you’re more likely to get everything done. You should factor in exercise, work and reading. You should also make a calendar that features menus that you plan to follow. Make sure there are lots of healthy foods to enjoy, so you can start feeling better in no time. A healthy routine will make your life a lot easier and will ensure you feel less stressed out. You might not need long to recover from the holidays if you can keep your routine on track quickly.
9. Hold Off on Resolutions
Many people often feel pressured to come up with a resolution for New Year’s during the holiday season. However, this season is packed with things to do and might leave you struggling for an idea or rushing just to come up with one. You might also base your resolution on how you feel over the holidays. Instead, don’t make a resolution until you’ve had the appropriate amount of time to recover from the holidays. This will allow you put actual thought into the resolution. You might even be able to find a resolution that will help you save some money or improve on your health.
10. Free Entertainment
Another great way to cut back on finances is to simply cancel your entertainment accounts. This will give you a chance to embrace all of the free entertainment that your community provides for you. You might consider checking out parks, going to community events and enjoying local shows and performances that are low cost. You may even be able to enjoy free entrance into a museum or other facility on certain days. Enjoying what the community provides for you will help you cut down on your budget for a little while. It will also help you explore new outlets that might be outside of your typical entertainment routine. You may even find yourself a bit healthier having explored this outlet.
The holidays don’t have to leave you in a funk in the early months of the new year. Instead, try some of these methods to clear your mind and improve your finances. You will certainly feel a lot better about the upcoming year, if only you take the time to recuperate from the final months of the last year.
