Avoiding the Stress of Holidays

Scott Schwab:

Holiday stress statistics reported by the American Psychological Association show that up to 69% of people are stressed by the feeling of having a “lack of time”, 69% are stressed by perceiving a “lack of money”, and 51% feel stressed out over the “pressure to give or get gifts”.

Stress is the perception of pressure, tension, worry, fear, dread or anxiety. The way we respond to stress can exacerbate, or even create physical and emotional problems.
Stress contributes to problems such as allergies, muscle tension, upset stomach or heartburn, sore throats, sinus infections, colds & flu, migraine or tension headaches, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, angina, heart disease and heart attacks. And many individuals develop unhealthy behaviors to cope with stress: overeating, using alcohol or drugs, or irritability.

Begin reducing your stress today.

• Learn to relax (prepare for stressful situations)
• Control, change, or let go of what you cannot change(control the controllables)
• Create time to do what you enjoy during the holidays(Find reasons to be happy)

Change your reaction to the stressful situation.

• Find the positive
• Slow down. Think before you react
• Learn to recognize when you are upset or worried about things you cannot control or change.
• Avoid spending energy blaming, holding a grudge, or resentment
• Use the word “no” – sometimes you need to set limits

Embrace healthy ways to manage stress.

• Get enough sleep
• Eat & drink in moderation
• Stay on budget
• Plan ahead and don’t overextend yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and delegate when possible
• Relax
• Nurture your relationships
• Use stress management techniques, like deep breathing exercises, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, exercise or yoga can help manage stress.