My 40-Day More Sanity in the Season Challenge

This week starts the Thanksgiving-to-New-Year’s holiday season. It’s a busy time of year, so I’ll keep this short. Do you want more joy and less stress this holiday season? My 40-Day More Sanity in the Season Challenge can help!

From today until January first there are 40 days. If we aren’t intentional, those 40 days can be filled with too much busyness and hype, and not enough of what really matters. However, if you are intentional, you can choose to do a little less of what causes stress and a little more of what brings joy. That’s the goal. And here’s how I suggest you go about it …

The 40-Day More Sanity in the Season Challenge

Each day for the next 40 days, can you…

1. Choose ONE thing to eliminate or simplify
2. Focus on ONE blessing.
3. Accomplish ONE act of self-care
4. Connect with ONE person in a meaningful way.

That’s it!

If that sounds like too much to handle, consider the following variation:

40-Day More Sanity in the Season Lite: Accomplish each of the four actions above at least one time per week.

If you need some ideas on how to accomplish your daily challenges, read on…

Simplify

If you need some suggestions on how to simplify, try the following:

• Eliminate one type of cookie from your holiday baking.
• Reduce the amount of holiday decorations you get out.
• Agree to buy fewer gifts for family or work get-togethers
• Swap make-ahead dishes for more elaborate ones at a holiday party
• Instead of stressing over the annual family photo, skip it.

Gratitude

Many studies show that practicing gratitude helps us improve our outlook, increase our sense of happiness, and fight the effects of stress. If you need some suggestions on counting your blessings, try the following:

• Each day, choose one person you care about and consider all the ways they are a blessing to you.
• Look around you. Notice something you take for granted that makes your life easier and consider how you thankful you are to have it.
• Pick one blessing from your daily Bible reading and think about it throughout the day.

Self-care

If you need some ideas on self-care, consider these suggestions:

• Say No to an event. Instead, stay home and connect with family a friend. (See how this accomplishes two actions in one?)
• Forgive yourself for blowing your holiday diet plans. Write down how you will make better choices tomorrow
• Gather your very favorite decorations and give them pride of place. (As a bonus, once they’re out, you may decide you need fewer decorations in total.)
• Give yourself permission to get take-out if you’ve been busy shopping and facing holiday crowds.  
• Do something active and festive. Go out and walk local neighborhoods to see the lights, dance to your favorite Christmas tunes, or take a winter hike followed by your favorite hot beverage.

Relationships

The past year-and-a-half has been tough on relationships. We all need to expend a little effort to reconnect with those we care about. Our efforts will be well-spent because relating with others is what fills our lives with joy and meaning.

If you need some ideas on connecting with friends and family, consider these suggestions:

• Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Start by telling them how much you value their friendship.
• Create a new holiday tradition where you have a one-on-one “date” with your kids or grandkids.
• FaceTime or Zoom with someone who you can’t visit in person.
• Stop by a coworker’s desk and tell them how much you appreciate them (for their friendship, assistance, mentorship, kindness, or whatever).
• Surprise someone by stopping by to deliver cookies or hot coffee, sing a Christmas carol, or just offer to hang out and talk.