Sunday, November 30, 2014

Coping with Holiday Stress


The holiday season has begun and your already busy schedule just became more demanding.   Preparations of the family traditions that create the magic you want your family to experience take a lot of time.  When you are stressed to the maximum it is very difficult to stop and assess your mental well-being.  You just know that you are tired, angry and resentful of the demands you believe are expected of you.
Before you reach that burn out point Mayo Clinic has twelve steps to keep your holiday brighter.
1.      Acknowledge your feelings. Don’t force yourself to feel happy just because it is expected.

2.      Seek support. Don’t be a martyr.  Call your friends and family when needed.

3.      Be realistic.  Let go of old traditions and make new ones that are more compatible to your current lifestyle.

4.      Set differences and grievances aside until after the holidays.  Try to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

5.      Stick to a budget.  You can’t buy happiness.

6.      Plan ahead. Write those lists and cook some of the meals ahead of time.  If traveling you may want to mail your gifts before you leave to make sure they arrive on time.

7.      Learn to say no.  Everyone has their limits.  Know what yours are and set the boundary.

8.      Don’t abandon healthy habits.  Good self-care will keep you healthy and happy.

9.      Take a breather.  Make time to replenish yourself and your spirit.

10.  Rethink resolutions.  Try to make small goals that are attainable so that you can see your progress.

11.  Forget about perfection.  You are not a television program that displays a perfect ending to the story. 

12.  Seek professional help if you find yourself persistently sad and anxious.
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed and remembered by all family members.  So try some of those ideas to help you manage your stress.  It will be the best present you ever gave yourself.
 

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