| For some Holiday Stress is a joyous fun time | | | | agree to disagree as you may never perceive a |
| whereas for others it's figuratively the straw that | | | | situation the same as someone else. |
| breaks the camel's back. In addition to your | | | | Emotions of confusion, frustration, uncertainty, |
| already ongoing everyday stress, the holidays | | | | and in some cases, anger and upset can pop up |
| bring extra stress. Thus you are more likely to | | | | at any time. |
| suffer from stress related issues such as | | | | And for those who may have lost a beloved |
| stomach problems, headaches, hypertension, | | | | family member, or friend, or lover, the holidays |
| excessive eating, insomnia, anxiety... | | | | are not a happy time which brings in despair and |
| To make sure the "camel's back" is not yours | | | | depression. |
| there are several things you can do: | | | | What do you do with these extra feelings and |
| 1. Maintain your physical balance. To an already | | | | emotions? |
| challenged world, holidays simply bring on additional | | | | 1. It's more important than ever to maintain |
| challenges which make it easy to lose control of | | | | healthy eating habits. It's unfortunate that the |
| one's physical responses to stress. For instance, it | | | | cookies and cakes are often associated with the |
| might sound silly, but we forget to breathe deeply | | | | holidays. Minimize foods high in sugar, candy, |
| after we race a stranger to a parking space; we | | | | coffee, sodas, and refined flour products like |
| hold onto muscular tension after we rush from | | | | most baked goods... These foods and drinks tax |
| store to store; and we hold onto vascular tension | | | | your endocrine system magnifying your emotional |
| after we beat the yellow light. | | | | reactions not to mention add pounds to your |
| Why is holding onto these tensions a problem? | | | | body over the holidays. |
| Answer: Simply because it increases our chances | | | | 2. Maintain healthy sleep habits. It's tempting to |
| of having unhealthy responses to stress. To | | | | squeeze twenty-eight hours into twenty-four |
| maintain your physical balance, constantly | | | | hours to get in all the shopping and the |
| remember to do deep breathing--it helps your | | | | responsibilities handled. |
| whole body to relax. Yes, do lots of deep | | | | 3. Remember for the reasons mentioned above |
| breathing while you rush from store to store, | | | | that the holidays are not a happy time for |
| after the race to the parking spot, after the rush | | | | everyone. |
| through the yellow light... Then double check as | | | | 4. Before you emotionally react, remember to |
| you are rushing about to see if your shoulders | | | | take a deep breadth and then count back from |
| are hunched and tense, or your jaw tight. Take a | | | | ten to one. This simple basic technique is very |
| deep breadth and relax them. | | | | valuable for managing emotional stressors and |
| 2. Maintain your emotional balance. Holidays bring | | | | may keep you from a useless disagreement. |
| additional exposure to emotional stress. You just | | | | 5. Watch your consumption of alcohol at holiday |
| had a disagreement with a sales clerk, missed the | | | | functions.--don't use the holidays as an excuse to |
| last game you wanted to buy for your son, can't | | | | become inebriated. |
| figure out what to get for your significant other... | | | | 6. Resist the temptation to use credit cards |
| And of course there's the ongoing everyday | | | | excessively. Establish a budget to plan your |
| stress at work. | | | | expenditures and finances. |
| Let's add to all of this the stress of the family | | | | 7. No need to be Super Man or Wonder Woman. |
| gathering. For some this brings on a challenge to | | | | You are only one person--it's ok to say "no" to |
| get along with certain family members. | | | | friends, family, and work associates if fulfilling their |
| Remember that the time exposure is limited to a | | | | requests interferes with your exercise, eating, |
| few hours or days at most. Yet, let's not sell | | | | sleeping, financial status, and peace of mind. |
| yourself out--no need to grin and bear it. | | | | 8. If you find yourself being "under the weather," |
| Remember, if there are uncomfortable feelings, | | | | pamper yourself, take time off, take extra |
| avoid getting into blaming or rehashing the | | | | vitamins, and especially stay away from sugary |
| past--it's finished and over. Simply speak only | | | | foods, baked goods, sodas... |
| from your experience. Know that any negative | | | | These eight tips will go a long way to helping you |
| feelings you have are owned by you and are a | | | | thoroughly enjoy the holidays and manage holiday |
| result of your perceptions. It's a good idea to | | | | stress effectively. |