Facing Holiday Stress is almost inevitable during certain times of the year. Although these are supposed to be joyous times, there are many other factors that can turn the holidays into a stressful nightmare if you aren't prepared.
One of the main reasons we face holiday stress has to do with our families. Many of us gather with our friends and families to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, etc. These stressful events may include:
The key to maintaining your sanity during these times is to Be Prepared. Plan for your holiday in advance.
Use these holiday stress tips to help minimize the chance that you will face major stress during the holidays:
The larger the guest list (whether it be at your home or someone else's) the more shopping and cooking you may need to do, so keep that in mind.
Begin your preparations with a check list. Write down everything you will need to be prepared for. Doing your list in advance, will allow you time to make changes or additions along the way.
Once you have your checklist, put it up on your refrigerator, or hang it on a bulletin board. Keep it in sight and keep it handy.
Give yourself a deadline for each of your tasks. Allow yourself plenty of time to complete each of the things on your list to keep them from causing pre-holiday stress.
Once you've thought and prepared for the things you must do, it's time to prepare for how you will handle the event itself. Because even when you've prepared, and have experienced no stress up until the moment you walk into your mother-in-law's door... a new battle of holiday stress begins.
If you have people in your family who tend to be unhappy no matter what happens or what gifts they get... plan a volunteer activity. Get everyone together and volunteer at your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter to help serve meals to needy people in your community. You can make time to fit this in before or after your own meal. This activity can make the not-so-grateful appreciate what they have, as well as give the whole family a sense of pride and togetherness.
Remember, as prepared as you may be, you won't be able to control everything. And you certainly won't be able to control the amount of holiday stress that others are experiencing. But you can control how prepared you are and how you handle your stress.
P.S. Don't forget to enjoy yourself... after all, isn't that what they holiday's are for?
Holiday Stress Tip: Use hypnosis to make family gatherings more enjoyable. Click here to downlaod the "Family Gatherings" hypnosis audio.
Be sure to plan for some down time with relaxation techniques before, during, and after the holidays to help you maintain your sanity and enjoy the holidays instead of stressing over them.
And when it's all over, don't forget to use your Stress Management Journal to write about what worked, what didn't work, and what you're going to remember for next year.
Are you stressed about going back to work after your holiday vacation? Check out these tips for managing your stress at work.
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