Do the Holidays Stress You Out?

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on December 2, 2013

It’s a stress headache that begins every year around Thanksgiving, continues through the end of Christmas, and ends with a horrible hangover on New Year’s Day. The holidays are supposed to be a wonderful time of the year – when we connect or re-connect with family members and friends. Most of us take time off work to be with our loved ones.

Should this not be a time of joy, rest, and relaxation? For a majority of Americans, it is not. The thought of entertaining guests, cooking, decorating the house, putting up the tree and, of course, shopping – totally stresses us out.

Well, you don’t have to feel stressed out. Here are a few tips to make this holiday season a memorable, tension-free time:

• Scale down your expectations. Make realistic holiday plans. Understand that nothing has to be – and nothing will be – perfect. Having lived our lives for so long, we know that something is bound to go off track. Expect the unexpected and you should be just fine.
• Take some time for yourself. Don’t get so overwhelmed by holiday preparations that you forget to take care of yourself. Rejuvenate by scheduling a relaxing massage or facial. Watch your favorite show or relax with a book.
• Have fun. In the midst of all the labor that goes into planning a holiday gathering, the fun factor often gets lost. Organize fun activities in which the entire family can participate. Having fun can melt away holiday stress in no time.
• Reach out. If you need help organizing or getting work done, ask others to pitch in. If you feel lonely, isolated, or depressed, seek out community, religious, or other social events.
• Don’t ignore your health. Do not stop eating healthy or take a break from exercise just because it’s the holidays. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity – both help drive stress and depression away.

Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. wishes everyone a safe and joyful holiday season!