Healthy Life
Beating Holiday Stress: pre-emptive strategies for coping
Holiday stress and depression often visit as unwanted guests during the holiday season. In the efforts to pull-off a picture perfect holiday, peace and joy are often left side-stepped for the demands of shopping, cleaning, baking, entertaining, travel or accommodating company.
Strain of the holidays can result from relationships, finances and physical demands. Family tension, or loss of a loved one, can be difficult this time of year. Heightened by expectations and traditions. Finances can also be a point of stress with overspending on travel, food, gifts and entertainment. You may be worn down by the physical demands of extra social events, entertaining and shopping.
When stress is at its peak, it is important to stop and regroup. Take steps to prevent holiday depression. Consider the following strategies to keep yourself well balanced and healthy.
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Acknowledge your feelings. If a loved one has recently died or you aren’t able to be with your loved ones, realize that it is normal to feel sadness or grief.
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Seek support. Seek out family members or friends, religious or social services. They can offer support and companionship. Consider volunteering at a community or religious function. Helping others can lift your spirits and broaden your social circle.
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Be realistic. Adjust your expectations to changes in your family. Stay connected through e-mail, video tapes or sharing pictures.
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Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. Chances are they are also feeling holiday stress.
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Stick to a budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend on gifts, entertaining, etc. Then be sure to stick to your budget. Donate to a charity in someone’s name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
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Plan ahead. Prevent last minute scramble by setting aside specific time for shopping, baking, and other activities.
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Take care of yourself. Overindulgence adds to stress and guilt. Enjoy food and drink in moderation and take time to get plenty of exercise and sleep.
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Take a breather. Spend time alone. Time by yourself gives you a chance to refresh yourself. Take a walk or listen to soothing music. Find something that slows your breathing and restores your calm.
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Rethink resolutions. Choose only those resolutions that help you feel valuable and provide more than only fleeting moments of happiness. Set smaller more specific goals with a reasonable time frame.
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Forget about perfection. Life is not the movies. Situations may not be resolved in two hours, you may get stuck in traffic, miss your child’s school play, your mother may criticize you and your partner, etc. Expect and accept imperfection.
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Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts you may find yourself feeling sad or anxious. If you are unable to sleep, feel irritable and hopeless and unable to face routine chores, you may need to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any question you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
2006 Copyright HCMT