Stress Less
June 8, 2008How can you prevent the holiday season from becoming the stress sesason? Here rae some suggestion from counselors specializing in stress management:
1. Remember the true nature of the holiday season. You do not "have to" go shopping, cook mountains of food, attend every function etc. Celebrate in ways you and your family enjoy.
2. Prioritize tasks - which ones need your attention, which can you safely delegate to others?
3. If you feel that you cannot afford to buy presents for everyone, announce in advance that you won’t be buying gifts this year or that you will only be giving small ‘token’ gifts. Alternatively, why not suggest that your family practices Christkindle - each family member buys a gift only for one other family member, chosen by drawing lots.
4. Remember those who truly need gifts, volunteering for community service, donating gifts and money to charitable organizations can do more to lift your spirits during the holiday season than an entire carload of presents you really don’t need.
5. Express love for family and friends in more direct ways than presetns. Asl most people what presents they received for Christmas last year and they don’t remember. But ask most people about the good times they have had with family and friends and many will remember events from years ago. So show your love by spending quality time with family and friends this year.
6. Initiate once act of peace making with family and friends, forget about quarels you may have had with friends and family over the past year.
7. Ladies, be realistic, remember that times have changed. Much holiday stress comes from memories of how mother or grandmother pallend and prepared for the perfect holiday weeks in advance. But, mother and grandmother probably did’nt juggle a home with a demanding job, hectic social life, and modern teenages. So, loose the guild!
