'Tis the Season...To Be Stressed

As the weather starts to change, it sure is nice to have a fireplace. That orange glow warms the spirit and the home on those cold winter nights. But if that fire is left unattended or allowed to burn out of control, the house can be incinerated by it. Stress can be the same way. 

 A little stress in our lives is a good thing. It’s that small fire that drives us to eat, socialize, wake in the morning and go to work. This is the kind of stress that keeps us motivated and excited about life. However, with great expectations, more demands, less time and hectic schedules, the Holidays can become overwhelming. And just like the burning house example, stress can wreak havoc on our lives. At a time when we should be giving thanks, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the season, some of us fall prey to stress. Here are some ways to grab the reins and keep your stress in check. 

 Don’t let the perfection bugs bite! Many of us go into the Holidays with expectations of a perfect event. The gap between what we hope for and what actually happens can cause frustration and stress. However, our fondest memories of the Holidays from childhood weren’t perfect either – we just remember them that way! If in doubt, ask older relatives who were there and you’ll probably hear a story slightly different from your memory. The reason your memory is beautiful is that you were focused on the beauty in the moment, not on the smaller frustrations. To create those moments this Holiday Season, follow the same practice. 

 Calm minds can deal with crazy times – It is much easier to deal with activity when we come from a place of balance. I read an article in Fast Company magazine about a Colorado firefighter who explained that when his team was surrounded by fire and had a panicked look in their eyes, he would sit down and take a break. Why? Because his team would see his calm demeanor and work to solve the problem instead of making it worse by losing their heads. Try doing a “centering” activity when you get up in the morning – just 5 or 10 minutes in a prayerful or meditative state and commit to yourself that you’ll focus on solutions, not problems, and that you’ll stay balanced and calm despite the day’s activities.     

 Address your stress – Don’t ignore it! Even in the face of a hectic Holiday schedule, make time for yourself and provide an emotional, physical and spiritual outlet for your stress. Take a walk, go to ceremony, work out, spend some quiet time in a bookstore or take a nap. Do something to provide a release and reward to yourself after a busy period. The people who don’t do this during the Holidays will need another holiday to recover!

 Don’t break the bank – Especially during this time of year, debt can pile up faster than a plate at the Thanksgiving table. If you want to start the New Year off right, don’t start it with a heavy load of Holiday debt. No matter how much your kids may say they need that expensive toy, they need your “presence” much more than your “presents”. The best gifts still come from the heart and don’t need extra zeroes behind the price tag to be of value. Besides, children are sensitive to the stress of parents who are in debt during the Holidays. Keep it simple and inexpensive and you’ll enjoy the experience much more – so will they.

 Learn how to say “no” – Fight the temptation to do it all during the Holidays – scale back your involvement with extra activities by picking and choosing the ones that really matter. With all the party planning, social engagements, charity drives and other demands, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and overcommit your time. Learn how to say “no” and you’ll truly enjoy this Holiday Season instead of getting burned out by it. 

Remember everyone, warriors need breaks too, so make sure to make the most of yours. From our family to yours, have a happy, healthy and safe Holiday Season!