Stress Management over Christmas

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We can reduce the amount of stress we experience during the holiday season by applying tips and techniques of stress management for Christmas and all throughout the year.

Let us all list tips that will help us ! ♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫ fa la la la la- la la la la

Several of the most common stresses of Christmas stress are :

Missing loved ones

Financial difficulties

Holiday Shopping

Family conflicts and miss understandings

Family expectations

Loneiness

Becoming tired from doing to much in to little time

Overindulgence I food and drinks

A couple of suggestions from me, make a budget for Christmas expenses and stick to it. Include the cost of gifts, holiday food and drinks, recreation and anything else that is included in your families traditions.

Do some, if not all, of your holiday shopping online or through mail order catalogs. This eliminates dealing with crowds, long lines and parking problems. this is one thing I love to do now and it works so well.

Do not be afraid to decline an invitation to a holiday get-together if you do not want to attend.
Next up

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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Kitt

 

For onething, Christmas season is the season I love. Just listening to the Christmas songs on the radio, brings about a feeling of happiness. beyond that, I do not want to think too much of the shopping or the financial side of it.

I try to do as much as I can on my own and try a lot DIY stuff for decoarations.

Gifts, I try to scan the flyers that come in and then buy what is really needed.

I try to remember to take time to be by myself. I find a quiet place, close my eyes, and just breathe. Though the holidays are about being with loved ones, I find that some solitude and decompression time helps me to recharge and enjoy the season even more!
Remember, after all, it did start with a 'Silent Night'!

Peace to everyone as you gear up for the festivities;)
Scaredy Cat

Dear Kitt,
Thank you for your insightful and inspirational suggestions. I wish I had your advice many years ago. Here are a few ideas that have also helped me be a healthier matriarch.

For eight years I ended up spending the week after Christmas in the hospital from blood loss. Over the years I developed a few things that helped decrease my crazy anxiety, control issues and autoimmunity challenges:
Remember that the holidays should be a time of building good memories from family events and unconditional love not an avalanche of things;
Turning everything down a notch will increase everyone's pleasure;
Encourage all family members to forgive grievances and treat each other with respect and dignity;
Make a list of what you think needs to be done for the holidays;
Prioritize and then cut the list in half;
Cut the tasks in half (I used to hand-write over a hundred cards! Now I send about 18 and include a family letter with a paragraph and photo from everyone.);
Make a budget for everything;
If you are compelled to give presents--only one present per person;
Shop comparatively online (sometimes you can get additional price decreases simply by calling an online business customer service and asking) Make as many presents as you can with comfort not stress. Nieces, nephews and grandchildren enjoy personal gifts that share family memories or traditions more than money or checks;
Give yourself one month to get things done;
Put together an easy schedule-only one or two tasks per week;
Delegate!! I used to cook four-course meals for Christmas dinner. Now we have a potluck feast with friends and neighbors;
Write thank you cards as soon as possible. Everyone loves to feel appreciated;
And finally, indulge yourself with peace, quiet and regenerating exercise or hobbies. Make time for yourself every day and don't give it up!
I wish everyone record-breaking relaxing and anxiety-free holidays!

Sam,
Thank you very much for the compliment and the article link you posted. I printed it out to think about it some more and to pass on to a friend. You made my day!
SZM

Really in this hectic life schedule everyone is missing their family life playing with kids and laughing with our family members will automatically disappear our stress.


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SPAM

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 4/27/2012 7:26:21 AM (GMT-6)