December
16, 2012
Dealing
with Holiday Stress
Stress is a common and normal part of everyday life. We experience stress as a result of job,
school, family, social and other life events.
Stress in small amounts for a short period of time can be of some help,
spurring us on to complete tasks and meet goals. When stress is prolonged over a long period
of time and continuous, stress can cause major issues mentally and
physically. This piece is meant to
provide some insight on how to deal with a particularly stressful time of year,
the holiday season.
The holiday season tends to be a more stressful time than
other times of the year, assuming that the other times of the year are not
filed with major life event stressors.
The reason the holidays tend to be a more stressful time of year is due
to several factors:
1. The
demands of entertaining or being involved with many events
2. Financial
because of all the demands to purchase gifts especially if a person is on a
tight budget
3. Depression
due to the loss of loved ones who would normally share in the holiday events
4. Feelings
of guilt over saying no to many invitations to events
5. Dealing
with feelings of anger or hurt over past wrongs committed against us by family
The list above names just a
few reasons we would feel more stress around the holiday times. It is important to remember that we
experience stress all year long, but the holidays tend to be more stressful
because all of the stress we feel during the year tends to build up, and the
flurry of events that entail the season are all compacted into a very short
time. In other words, too much to do and
not enough time to do it. Here are some
ways to lessen the stress of a very hectic season:
1. Learn to understand what your body is telling
you. When a person feels stress, the
body is the indicator of what is going on.
Signs such as headaches, upset stomach, clenching teeth and fatigue can
all be signs of the body and mind being under stress. Learn to recognize what your body is telling
you. These signs may mean you need to
back off a bit and take it easy.
2. Take time for yourself. This can be easier said than done, but if you
make a conscious effort you can take time for yourself. When people fail to do this, the holidays can
overwhelm them and they may not be able to rest mentally and physically. Make an effort to take breaks in a busy day;
remember to breath deep and let it out slow.
3. Communicate,
communicate, communicate! If you are
feeling stressed and overwhelmed, talk with others and let them know how you
are feeling. Often, talking with other
people is very helpful in stress reduction, as you may find others who share
your issues. You learn that you are not
alone in the holiday process.
4. Exercise. Along with taking time for you is exercising. Sometimes, in the middle of the rush, people
forget to go for a good walk or take time to stretch. Exercise is a great way to keep yourself fit
and reduce stress. Exercise can also be
done as a fun holiday activity with family and friends after dinner or events.
5. Do
not feel guilty about setting limits.
You know how much you can deal with.
Do not let feelings of guilt let you take on more than you can
handle. Set some limits and say no if
need be. If you do not set some limits
on your time, your time will be taken from you and you will not be able to be
at your best.
6. Understand
that you may experience feelings of loss, especially if you have lost loved
ones who would normally be a part of annual family gatherings. Understand that it is normal to feel sad at
times due to the loss and know that it is important to share your thoughts and
feelings about this with others.
7. Please,
please do not be afraid to seek out professional help if needed. So many times people feel guilty or ashamed
to seek out professional help at this time of year. Know that it is alright to ask for help, and
others have done this in the past.
Asking for help does not mean you are weak or soft; it is healthy to do
this. There are many places to reach out
to, like crisis hot lines, shelters and hospitals.
It is my hope that in this holiday season you are able to
reduce your stress and enjoy time with others.
Remember that there is help available for all who need it.
© Mike Arieta
2012
