Coping With Holiday Stress
The holidays are upon us and instead of leisurely sipping eggnogaround the fireplace, we find ourselves in a frenzy trying toget all too many things done in anticipation of that oneperfect, albeit elusive holiday moment.
Despite expectations, holidays are a time when many of us end upso stressed and overworked, the joy is completely lost.Nonetheless, the holidays really should be about family,friends, renewal, and even fun.
As we all know, achieving any dream is not magic, it is mostlyhard work. It is worth it though, otherwise we wouldnt go at itso hard year after year. A little bit of balance and planningcan go a long way toward de-stressing the holidays and making atleast some of those holiday dreams a reality. Here are sometactics to help you deal with the pressures of the holidayseason.
Prioritize.
Prioritize, organize and simplify. Sit down and think about yourgoals. What do you really want out of the holidays? What do youneed? What does your family want and need? Dont makeassumptions. Talk about it. Needs and expectations change aschildren grow and family networks variously shrink and expand.Disgruntled family members mean stress for all.
Budget.
Establish your budget realistically and conservatively. There ispressure from every direction to overspend during the holidays.But spending now with the knowledge you will still be paying itoff this time next year can zap every bit of the joy out of theseason. Be realistic and be honest. Set your budget and stick toit. Despite what advertisers want you to think, the reason forthe season is not to spend as much money as possible.
Schedule your Time.
Be just as realistic about your time as you are about yourmoney. Cooking big meals may not be practical. Use conveniencefoods or pre-cooked options to round out your holiday table.Dont be afraid to ask others to pitch in. Do your shoppingonline instead of at the mall, and have the gifts delivered.Realistically decide which invitations you will accept and whichones you will not. Discuss priorities openly with friends andfamily members. Reevaluate and reduce you commitments to bringthem in line with manageable reality.
Remember to Relax.
It is easy to forget your everyday good habits during holidays.The stress and frenzy of the season can quickly take its toll.None of us want to be that horrible relative who always managesto spoil the fun for everyone else. Be consciously aware of yourstress and fatigue levels. Take a deep breath before you fly offthe handle. Learning to keep your cool not only helps reduce theharmful effects of excess stress on your mind and body, it willalso help keep stress levels down for all those around you andeverybody will be more relaxed and have more fun.
Exercise.
Experts everywhere acknowledge the value of good aerobicexercise in stress reduction and well being. We all know thisfact, but often forget it during holidays. Dont. Even if it isonly for a few minutes at a time, incorporate physical exerciseinto your day. Spend a few minutes on your exer-cycle. Take aquick walk. Take the stairs. Is there dancing at the holidayparty? Join the fun. Its good for you. Get the idea? Holiday orno, make grabbing opportunities for exercise a regular part ofyour everyday routine.
Watch What you Eat.
Good nutrition is for good health and every day feel-goods. Itis easy to load up on junk during holidays, especially when youmay not have time for real meals and then face lavish partyspreads. The whole process wreaks havoc with your waistline andyour health. You slow down, and your disease resistance iscompromised. As a result, you can end up run down and sick rightin the middle of the festivities. Despite endless yummytemptations, you do need to make certain your body is properlynourished. Grab a piece of fruit instead of dipping into thatcandy bowl and at the very least remember your vitamins.
Watch your Alcohol Consumption.
Food is not the only holiday temptation. Be aware of
youralcohol limit and drink responsibly. A season of festivities canbe draining in more than one way. Pace yourself, especially ifyou have a round of parties to attend. Even a couple drinks canreduce your energy level the next day, and if you have a heavyschedule, you may want to go pass on the alcohol altogether. Youcan count on a hangover spoiling the next day completely, and ifyou have plans with others, it may be more than your own daythat is spoiled. Needless to say, if you are an alcoholic,holidays are not the time to skip AA meetings.
Get Adequate Rest.
Sometimes easier said than done, since the holidays can be atrue frenzy. There are gifts to buy and wrap, cards to send,parties to attend, parties to throw, houses to clean, meals tocook and in the middle of all this, most of us still have jobsto do, kids to take care of and families that need ourattention. Just thinking about it can make you tired, butfatigue and overwork impair judgment, and shorten tempers. Itwill wear you out physically and emotionally. And the lovelyholiday you were working so hard to create can be dashed by hurtfeelings exacerbated by stress induced snipping. Dont beashamed to take a nap. And dont be ashamed to admit that youneed one. Quiet relaxing moments may need to be scheduled. Theyare essential to your well-being and to a happy holiday season.
Practice Realistic Acceptance.
In all this welter of dos and donts, realize there are somethings (and people) you will never be able to change. You willbe a lot calmer if you can realistically accept, what isunchangeable. Holiday get-togethers are not the place to ventover past wrongs.
Emotional Well Being.
Attend to your emotional needs. For many reasons holidayoccasions often reopen old wounds. We all experience loss in ourlives, and the season can make a recent divorce or death in thefamily seem unbearable. Take active measures to take care ofyourself. Go to your place of worship. Attend to yourspirituality. Although it may sound quaint today, attending areligious service can be very healing. Beyond that, talk aboutwhat bothers you. Vent your rage. If for whatever reason, youcannot talk about it to a friend or family member, get atherapist or call a telephone counseling line. There is a freeone in most cities. Keeping a journal is one of the oldest formsof therapy, and it too is free. Attending to your emotionalneeds does not mean spilling your guts at the holiday table, itmeans finding a safe place for support and using it when needed.
Make Peace with Yourself.
This is not a luxury, it t is a necessity. Time-honored methodsof nourishing body and soul include; prayer, yoga, meditation,Tai Chi and devotions. On a daily basis, it is one of the bestthings you can do to maintain both your serenity and yoursanity. Even if you only have a few minutes to do it, make peacewith yourself every day.
Remember, no matter what day you celebrate, the holiday seasonis indeed a season. Prepare to take care of yourself throughout.Schedule time to exercise and relax each day, even if it is onlyfor a few brief moments. Be aware of others needs as well. Beespecially aware if anyone close to you has suffered a greatloss in the recent past. In many ways the holidays, which arewidely heralded as times of great joy, are also times of greatsorrow. That too can be overwhelming. Take deep relaxing breathswhen you feel emotions rising or tempers flaring. Above all, donot take everything personally. Realize that under stress (andyes the holidays are stressful) people often say things theynormally would not. Do not let them get to you and you will allfeel better for it. Take care of yourself and the ones you love.
Have a peaceful stress free holiday.
Copyright 2005 Regina Pickett Garson
About the author:
Regina Pickett Garson edits and publishes Magic Streamhttp://www.magicstream.org — which is among the earliest onlineself-help and wellness resources. She teaches at VirginiaCollege in Huntsville, Alabama.
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