Holiday Stress: GUWellness: Mind, Body, Soul

Holidays may bring joy to some people, but for others they can mean a time of stress. We sometimes expect too much from the holiday season—warm relationships, exciting activity, and an abundance of presents, good food and cheer.

However, we may pay a high price trying to achieve holiday joy. Our energy and money may become exhausted and stress levels begin to rise. Do your holidays turn out to be disappointing because stress gets the best of you? These tips may help you change some old holiday habits:

Spend Sensibly

• Don’t shop impulsively. Follow a budget.
• Limit your gift giving to those closest to you.
• Make homemade gifts such as cookies or crafts.
• Give coupons for your services such as baby-sitting or yard work.

Eat, Drink and Be Sorry?

• When shopping, bring along fruit to snack on instead of grabbing high-calorie fast foods.
• Prepare nutritious, low-fat meals to balance out the inevitable holiday goodies.
• If you decide to drink alcohol, limit yourself to a moderate amount.
• Don't drink and drive.

It’s a Family Affair

• Don’t try to solve a year’s worth of family problems during one holiday get-together.
• You can’t please everyone, so don’t try.
• If visits are stressful, keep them short whenever possible.
• If it’s too stressful to attend family holiday events, plan to visit another time.

Take Care of Yourself

• Get enough sleep—the holidays can be exhausting.
• Exercise for an energy boost, to burn extra calories and keep stress in check.
• Don’t skip meals when you’re on the run.
• Set realistic expectations for the holidays and leave the guilt behind.

Focus on Meaning

• Remind yourself of the cultural or spiritual meaning of the holidays.
• Try to value the time you spend with friends and loved ones.
• Decide what you enjoy doing most this time of year—then do it!