Holiday Stress-Busting

Give yourself the gift of a tranquil holiday season ___________________________

Does this describe you during the holidays: enjoying the season, relaxing with family, celebrating, and feeling the warmth of your family and cultural traditions? Or are you one of the many people whose stress level  skyrockets at the mere mention of the word "holidays"?

Here are some suggestions for avoiding stress, as well as its unwanted companion, depression, to help you lessen stress and truly enjoy this festive time of year.

• Don't book yourself too heavily. Which activities and events are the most meaningful and pleasurable to you and your family? Learn to say "no" to those parties, gift exchanges and events that aren't really important.
  
  
• Focus more on the conections and rituals of the holidays than on purchasing gifts. If crowds and frantic shoppers stress you out, the last place you want to be during the last month of the year is a crowded mall! Talk to other adult family members about their thoughts on holiday gifts. Maybe it's time for a new tradition.
  
  
• To opt out of that last-minute mall battle, and to avoid overspending out of desperation, start your shopping early. Next year, keep an eye out for holiday gifts all year long. If you're shopping in July and see "just the thing for Aunt Betty," go ahead and buy it. Chances are you won't find something as perfect when you're down to the wire. (But be sure to keep gifts where you won't forget them—and keep a list of what you've purchased.)
  
  
• Ask for help! If you are hosting holidays events in your home, guests will most likely be happy to help out. Can Cousin Charlotte bring her famous cranberry sauce? Would your grandson bring a pecan pie from that wonderful bakery on his block?
  
  
• The traditional holiday family reunion can be stressful if "old material" and family friction come to the surface. Be aware of the possibility, and enlist others to help defuse stressful situations. Remember, the holidays are about sharing meaningful time with family and friends.
  
  
• Watch what you eat and drink. Overeating or drinking too much alcohol can sap your strength.

One of the best depression busters is to do something for others. Volunteer or donate to a reputable charity or service organization. And if it happens that you are away from family for the holidays, volunteering can be one of the most meaningful and joyful choices.

For More Information...

The American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging has just released a new factsheet, Tips for Beating the Holiday Blues. 

A sense of sadness during the holidays may also be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The Mayo Clinic offers information about this condition on their consumer website.