
Where's the "Holiday" in the Holidays?!!!
While the Holidays can bring so much joy, they bring a lot more than that to many! A post by the Cleveland Clinic really hits the mark on the frustrations and anxieties that this time of year bring.
That fact that stress is bad for our health is a message we have heard for a long time, and that fact is now backed by research. And at the same time, stress in our lives has gone up exponentially. Knowing this makes it all the more important to recognize and manage. To do so, first we need to recognize what may be contributing to it. Stress is inherent to the holidays and there are many factors that contribute to it. Within the article are listed many of the stressors that might quickly come to mind - such as finding the perfect gift, shopping hassles, time demands and not eating well. In addition, are things that are more deeply rooted - such as unresolved family issues, and unrealistic expectations of yourself and others. Take a few minutes to check in with yourself to see which of these might pertain to you, and take steps to make this holiday season a little more jolly!
Managing Holiday Stress
In Great Britain the word "holiday" has the same meaning as vacation. Many Americans would find this comparison laughable. For most of us, the holidays come with our own "to-do" lists.
Too often we take holiday stress for granted. What's worse, we often have higher expectations for this season than for any other time of the year. Planning for the holidays can leave us feeling impatient, cranky, and — in some cases — depressed. When the realities of day-to-day life conflict with our efforts to make the holiday season perfect, stress results.
Pulling in the reins on holiday stress. Are your expectations for the holidays realistic? Asking yourself this question is the first step to managing holiday stress. List on a piece of paper what you expect from yourself and your family during the holidays. Hidden within these expectations you might find your potential holiday stressors — the things particular to you that can cause stress.
Under each item in the list, write down what changes you can make to prevent or defuse stress. Adopt changes that will be most helpful to you. Avoid holding on to unrealistic goals, such as creating the most enchanting holiday atmosphere. Remember to include your own needs. Click the link to the full article for examples and more tips:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/healthy_living/hic_Stress_Management_and_Emotional_Health/hic_Managing_Holiday_Stress