Health and Wellness Tips
Taking the Stress Out of Holidays
Holidays, celebrated during the year, are supposed to be about everyone having a "good" time.
But, do you get stressed just thinking about an impending holiday? Food everywhere, family get-togethers, cost of gifts, expense of hosting a party, and loss of a loved one (particularly, one whose presence will be absent for the first time during a holiday) are just some of the things that may cause a person to feel stressed.
What can YOU do to lessen YOUR stress?
- Related to Food
- Before departing for a get together, drink a glass or two of water. This will start the neurological process between your stomach and your brain that sends signals making your feel full (less hungry) and less likely to overeat.
- Limit the number of alcoholic beverages. Wines and mixed drinks are high in sugar and calories. Try alternating a glass of water with each glass of alcoholic beverage. Remember - if driving - alcohol and driving do not mix regardless of one's age.
- Don't allow food to be the highlight of the party. Instead, enjoy the people, conversations, music, games, etc.
- Enjoy moderate amounts of the foods you look forward to, while reducing or eliminating other high calorie snacks and appetizers.
- Related to Hosting a Family Get Together
- Don't do it alone. Get others to help.
- Plan foods that can be prepared ahead of time.
- Host family prepares main dish, guests bring appetizers and/or desserts. For those who cannot bring food, such as those traveling a distance, a monetary contribution is acceptable.
- Related to Cost of Gifts
- For children - have them make a list of four or five items they would like to receive. Buy only what you can afford. Remember, it is never to early to start helping children understand the relationship between finances, gift giving, and respect and appreciation for the gift and gift giver.
- For adults - large families could use the Pollyanna method of gift giving to lessen the burden financially for everyone. This could be done among both adults and children. Instead of giving monetary gifts, try giving a gift of one's time, such as babysitting or simply planning to spend time with each other during the coming months.
- Related to the Loss of a Loved One
- Plan a moment of celebration about the loved one.
- Share special moments of the loved one's life.
- Take out old photo albums of past events that brought joy to everyone. If tears develop, and they probably will, let the tears flow. Tears are one of the body's ways of releasing stress and facilitate healing.
Here's hoping that you make your holidays less stressful by taking some proactive steps.
