Ho, ho. . .oh, oh. Surviving Holiday Stress

Are you familiar with a little thing we call “stress”?  Do you have more than your fair share of it during the holiday season?  If so, you are not alone.  First of all,

Celebrate!

it’s normal to feel some stress this time of year.  After all, there is a lot going on!  However, research indicates that stress levels often increase during the holidays in very unhealthy ways, potentially causing illness, depression and unfortunately in the extreme, increased cases of suicide.

Not great news.  What happens?  Isn’t this a festive, loving, joyful time of year???

Yes, it is supposed to be a happy time and generally speaking we place high expectations on that.  This can create what is referred to “good stress”:  excitement, anticipation;  fun in preparations;  parties, sharing time with friends and family.   Ho, ho!

On the other hand, there is SOOOO much to do (“how did my shopping list get this long?!!); tons of activity (too many places to go, people to see!);  relatives to entertain (Aunt Mabel running her white gloved finger along your sideboard).  It seems easier at the holidays to be overwhelmed and/or disappointed, crossing the line to what we call “bad stress”.  Oh, oh.

It’s this “bad stress” — and our individual experience of it and response to it — which can lead to problems.  Dr. Michael McVay defines bad stress as:  “the perception of a threat to my psychological or physical well-being;  and I am unable to cope with that threat”.

This definition gives us some insight into what we can do about our “bad holiday stress”.  The key here is to increase our ability to cope;  to take control where we can and be more at choice about how we respond to stress.  Here’s the not-so-good news about stress responses:  30-40% of it is genetically determined and there isn’t much we can do about it.  Oh, oh.

The so-much-better news is that this means 60-70% is a LEARNED response.  Ho, ho!!  This is where we have control;  where each of us can take charge and make a new choice to create less stress during the holidays (or any time for that matter!).  With that in mind, here are a few simple, portable, practical suggestions for making your holidays less stressful and more fun!

Create Space

This can be done in many ways.

1.  My personal favorite:  you can create some space for yourself by taking a DEEP BREATH.  Intentional breathing is the most simple, yet most powerful stress relief tool we teach at Simple Stress Solutions.  Try it right now.  What do you notice?  How does it feel?

2.  If you find yourself in a stressful situation over the holidays, do what ever it takes to GET OUT of it for awhile.  Go for a walk.  If nothing else, excuse yourself to use the facilities:-) !!!!

3.  Actually PLAN some time to RELAX.  Put it on your calendar as an appointment with yourself (yup, right before picking up Cousin Bob at the airport).  Listen to some music you love.  Or meditate.  Or engage a conscious relaxation activity.  This leads us to something you may have forgotten. . .

Be Pro-Active about your Time

. . . your schedule is not in control.   YOU are in charge of your schedule.  So behave like it!  For example, to dissolve the stress of last minute shopping, put it on your calendar.  Make it an ENJOYABLE event.  Here’s how it often goes:  you suddenly realize it is Christmas Eve;  you fly out of the house;  get to the mall;  battle the crowds;  spend hours figuring out what to get;  by some miracle finally get it all in your cart;  unload it at the check out;  realize you forgot your wallet.   Oh, oh.

What about this picture instead?  It’s a Saturday in early December (better yet, a Saturday in November);   you are sitting by a roaring fire with a lovely glass of [insert your favorite wine here], or hot chocolate, and your computer.  You have several hours, because you have blocked this out in your schedule and planned for it well.  You think about the people on your list and how much you appreciate them.  You surf your favorite shopping sites and find wonderful gifts for all.  You push the button to purchase, sit back, relax and wait for your fabulous presents to be delivered (gift wrapped) to your door (or — wild stress reducing idea here — their door).  You are done.   Ho, ho!

Don’t let the important stuff sneak up on you – plan and be pro-active about it.

I wish you the least stressful, most joyful holiday season ever.

Ho, ho!!

____________________________________________________

Give the gift of relaxation this holiday season. . .

Simple Relaxation Audio CD

A fully guided, intentional relaxation experience, for deep stress relief.

This special CD helps you relax and refresh your life – the simple and easy way. All you have to do is listen.

Click here and listen to the CD

Great corporate and office gifts for workplace wellness. (Ho, Ho! Remember you too!)