Managing Holiday Stress

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful, especially for women. From Thanksgiving to New Years, women run themselves ragged trying to live up buy cialis from canada to their vision (or possibly Madison Avenue’s vision) of a “magical” holiday. According to a recent survey of holiday stress by the American Psychological Association, the majority of people get stressed because they simply don’t have enough time to get everything done. Proper etiquette dictates that we provide a small gift to practically every person in our life – extended family, teachers, co-workers, friends – not to mention the big-ticket Christmas morning presents.

That’s a lot of shopping or baking! In addition, many women seem to get “Martha Stewart syndrome” this time of year and make themselves crazy trying to orchestrate the “perfect” holiday party or family dinner.

This leads us to the other major stressor – financial worries.

There is tremendous pressure to spend heavily during the Christmas season. Many families are still paying off holiday credit card debt in April. And in our current economic state, Americans can expect stress levels to be even higher than usual.

Most people seem have a grin and bear it attitude about the holiday season. They pile on the stress and the debt thinking that they just have to make it through to January and things will settle down. What people may not realize, however, is that stress takes a huge toll on the body, mind and spirit. Insomnia, headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure, a suppressed immune system, depression, anxiety, over-eating and over-drinking are all common responses to stress.

Several years ago, I spent the entire Christmas holiday on my parent’s couch with the flu. I realize now that this was my body’s way of telling me, “Enough already!”

It is possible to capture the magic without all the pressure. Here’s a few tips:

Exaltation or Expectation?

Spend some time thinking about the reason behind each of the items on your To-Do list. Most of us operate from a script this time of year. We’re either determined to recreate the wonderful holiday Along with other more compact proprietors including Landry&#8217s Restaurants (the Golden Nugget), and whomever takes the Revel out of personal bankruptcy, there's without doubt room for Zynga (ZNGA) or perhaps an experienced European iGaming operator to produce a partnership – or just purchase a – and go into the market too. memories of our childhood or make up for a lack of them. Write down the things about the season that are most precious to you. This is what will create the magic you desire. Most likely, there is nothing on your list about expensive presents or perfect place settings. I’m guessing that for most people, quality time with loved ones and spiritual connection are at the top of the list. Ironically, these are the very gifts we miss out on if we’re too busy running Godfather en er med i den serie af automater som udloser Gold jackpotten og dermed kan denne ogsa vindes ved at spille pa de popul?re maskiner Mega Fortune Wheel, Super Fortune Wheel, Super Joker, Super Mystic eller Super Star. around trying to make everything perfect.

Go back to your To-Do list. How many things do you do every year because you think other people expect it of  you? What are you willing to say “no” to this year? If you did say “no,” what would that feel like in terms of your stress level? I bet your shoulders are relaxing a little just thinking about it.

It’s Okay If You’re Not Filled With Holiday Cheer

We’re supposed to be merry during the holidays, right? For many people, this can be one of the biggest stressor of all. If you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one, divorce, sickness or depression, trying to put on a happy face can be exhausting and feel inauthentic.

It’s okay to take time to experience any feelings of sadness or loss that the holidays bring up. Talking openly as a family may actually open the door to a deeper connection that can only richen the holiday experience. Sure beats the uneasy tension of an emotional elephant in the room.

Sometimes creating a ritual around a loss can be very therapeutic. You might buy a special tree ornament in honor of a departed loved one or just light a candle as a symbolic gesture of hope.

Find a Little Peace for Yourself

Make time every day to de-stress. Journal, take a walk alone or even better, just sit quietly and breathe for five minutes. Studies show that just a few minutes of meditation a day can have a profound effect on your physical and emotional health. If you’ve never meditated, here’s how: Find a comfortable seated position, preferably on the floor or on a firm chair so the spine is straight. Close your eyes and scan your body for tension and focus on let it go. You are trying to detach from your stress. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. As thoughts pop into your head, acknowledge them but then try to let them go, returning your attention to the breath. If you find it helpful, try counting as you breath. Shoot for a slow count of five on the inhale and eight on the exhale. With a little practice, you’ll be able to tap into this feeling of inner peace whenever you need. Isn’t that worth five minutes of your time?

Exercise and a healthy diet also important in managing stress. Don’t wait until the new year to start treating your body kindly. Remember Christmas is only one day, not a month long free-for-all so enjoy all the holiday goodies but balance out the naughty with the nice. Think of nourishing your body, inside and out, as an expression of self-respect and love. And love is the reason for the season.