Holiday stress survival strategies
Bev Cress, MS
Originally published 12:37 p.m., November 6, 2007
Updated 12:37 p.m., November 6, 2007
Driving down the street of a small town the other day, I noticed red holiday bows attached to the lamp posts. A small, quiet panic began growing inside of me… the holidays are approaching!! The season of joy, laughter and love is also the season of stress- the stress of trying to “do it all” and “do it perfectly”. By setting lofty goals to create the perfect holiday for our loved-ones, we also can set ourselves up for stress and depression.
The National Mental Health Association recommends these strategies to successfully survive the holiday season.
Be realistic in your expectations for the holiday season. By consciously setting goals that are unattainable, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. No one has the “perfect” holiday. There will be things that happen that are less than perfect, but it should not ruin your celebration.
Set reasonable goals for yourself, prioritize jobs and activities, and remember that it is not just the “day” of the celebration that brings joy, but it is also the days and weeks leading up to and following that bring joy. If possible, spread out your celebration activities to embrace the time surrounding the actual holiday.
Leave the past behind and celebrate now. You change, your family changes, life changes everything. Comparing this year’s celebration to those in the past is a sure way to diminish your joy. Human beings have a funny way of remembering only a part of what happens. Are you sure it was better then? Every season is new and wonderful if given a chance. Implement a new tradition! Break ground and celebrate in a new way.
Do not expect holidays to extinguish loneliness or sadness. If you are lonely or sad, do not expect the holidays to “fix” this.
Monitor your alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a depressant. Drinking too much will add to your depression rather than lessen it. At parties, sip on a glass of sparkling water.
Get enough rest. One sure way to make small problems larger is to be tired when trying to resolve them. Delegating responsibilities to others will allow you carry a lighter load and enjoy the efforts of others.
Do for others. Perform “Random Acts of Kindness”. The holiday season is a prime opportunity to experience the wonderful feeling of giving of yourself. Volunteer your talents and/or time to a charitable organization. Or better yet, do something nice for someone anonymously for no reason. Let a frazzled shopper with small children cut in line in front of you. You will be amazed what a powerful lift this gives your heart!
Spend money realistically. Over-commercialization and competition create a temptation to use money to compensate. When the bills begin pouring in after the first of the New Year, what seemed like a good idea in December does not seem so appealing. Before shopping for gifts and preparing for the holiday, set a firm budget — AND STICK TO IT! Make lists before going shopping. Resist the urge to spend impulsively. Many people get into credit card trouble during the holidays. Avoid overspending. Focus on the feelings rather than the gifts, and you will not regret it in January and February.
Spend time with supportive people. Nothing recharges us better than the companionship of our support system. The holiday season is a prime time to reconnect with friends who have drifted apart from us. Reach out, make new friends and make contact with old ones.
This holiday season can be one that is a joyous celebration and an expression of the warm sentiments you feel. Make it a healthy one for you. Make the celebration that you share one that will leave you happy and fulfilled rather than stressed and depressed.
F This column is provided by the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas. For more information, brochures, or to request a speaker for your organization, contact Bev Cress at (620) 343-2211.