{"id":3307,"date":"2019-12-16T14:21:31","date_gmt":"2019-12-16T20:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/blog\/?p=3307"},"modified":"2019-12-16T14:21:39","modified_gmt":"2019-12-16T20:21:39","slug":"is-your-stress-spoiling-your-holiday-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/blog\/is-your-stress-spoiling-your-holiday-experience","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Stress Spoiling Your Holiday Experience?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Only 9 more\ndays until December 25th and the stress level is rising. Cortisol is racing\nthrough your body, anger is way too likely to erupt into a scene, and burned\ncookies turn into a disaster equal to global warming. What can be done over the\nnext few days so that the big day is one of joy and celebration and not one of\napologizing to your loved ones because you lost your temper when the dog ate a\nroll of wrapping paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\nare some suggestions that may help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In The Wellness Lifestyle Workbook<\/a> <\/em>by Ester Leutenberg and John Liptak PhD, they suggest the following tips for managing your stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.         Seek\nto change the situation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is that\nsupposed to work, anyway? You can\u2019t change the situation, the Holidays are\ncoming in only nine days and you have to be ready. Try reframing the issue by\nsaying, \u201cThe holidays will be here in nine days. I will complete the most\nimportant tasks before me and celebrate that I managed that. I will not fret\nabout what cannot be accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.  Be more organized<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being more\norganized is a no-brainer. Make a prioritized list of what needs to be done.\nPut a couple of easy ones at the top so you get the satisfaction of crossing\nthem off quickly. As you write it, remind yourself for example, that twenty\ndifferent kinds of cookies are not necessary for a happy holiday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.  Ask\nsomeone to alter his or her behavior<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone\nmaking you crazy? Constantly asking if you got this or that done and bemoaning\nthe fact that you didn\u2019t. Ask them to alter their behavior. Nicely. Don\u2019t\nscream at them to back off right after they ask you the same question for the\ntenth time. When your temper is under control tell them that their constant\nquestioning (read nagging) about what is and isn\u2019t done only makes you crabby\nand slows you down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.  Exercise<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get out of\nthe house for a run or go for a swim. If the weather is too bad go to the Y,\nthe mall, or the gym and be in the moment while you are there. Think of how\ngood it feels as the endorphins speed through your body. Notice how much better\nyou feel when you get home after a few hours away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. \nEngage in deep breathing, meditation, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have tried meditation or guided imagery you already know how helpful it can be. If you are a newbie, find someone who will read you a relaxation script or purchase a relaxation CD. They are quite inexpensive and can be an amazing help. Remember, though, if you are trying this technique for the first time it might take a few attempts before it works easily. Here is a link to a good beginner\u2019s relaxation script<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.  Be assertive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can being\nassertive help your stress levels? The thought of conflict makes many folks\ncringe. However, learning to say no is an important part of maintaining your\nmental health. Don\u2019t say yes to something you don\u2019t have time to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.  Alter irrational beliefs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one\nof the best stress relievers. During the holidays many people try to replicate\nwhat they had as a child. Handmade gifts, tons of cookies and candies prepared\nto perfection, a huge dinner with all the relatives before the midnight\nservice, a spotless house before the kids wake up in the morning, a gingerbread\nhouse that replicates the National Cathedral, or wrapping each stocking gift\nseparately and writing a poem to go on each one. Most of us work full\ntime.  Most of our mothers did not. It is\nirrational to expect to get the same amount of preparation done in the time we\nhave. Rewrite your expectations of what the holidays should be keeping in mind\nyour limited free time. Get rid of the traditions that are marginal to the\nenjoyment of your family and go with a plan that is actually possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8.  Withdraw from the situation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Withdrawing\nfrom the situation doesn\u2019t have to be as drastic as it sounds. Perhaps you sing\nin your church choir. Maybe you always shovel the snow for your neighbor. It\ncould be that you are the one who prepares the coffee and cookies for after the\nservice. Someone else can do those things. Trust in the fact that as valuable\nas you are to the organizations you serve there are others who would relish the\nchance to try their expertise on what you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9.         Accept\nthe stressor <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can, of\ncourse, simply accept the thing that is stressing you out. Saying to yourself\nI\u2019m going to be a bit more stressed than usual because I have to finish 20\nangel costumes by morning and then hitting the machine and doing it doesn\u2019t\nreally relieve the stress of the moment, but if you insist on doing the task\nyou know is going to make you a bit crazy you can accept the stress that comes\nalong with it. Understanding this will help you get through whatever it is with\ngrace. Finishing the task will give you an immediate lift in spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10.       Maintain good\nhealth by nurturing yourself<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget\nduring this often frantic time of the year to take good care of yourself. You\ncan\u2019t avoid holiday stress if you are overtired, hungry, or have overindulged\nin your favorite treats. Don\u2019t eat the whole fruitcake, don\u2019t feel you have to\nfinish that last Tom and Jerry,  remember\nto take your meds on time, and don\u2019t cheat yourself of needed sleep. Limit your\nday and go to bed at least within an hour or so of the usual time. You will\nfind that you get lots more done if you are fully awake and rested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leutenberg and Liptak suggest these coping strategies in The Wellness Life Style Workbook<\/a> <\/em>that will help manage your stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n