By anticipating stressful holiday events and the feelings they trigger, we can prepare ourselves for the physical and emotional stress of the holiday season, and find a way to enjoy the festivities with “hearts all a glowing.”
The Christmas holiday season seems to start earlier every year. Rather than post Thanksgiving , it now appears right after Halloween, if not Labor Day in early September. Once it ascends into high gear we may start wondering if it really is
The extra work of shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping, planning, and entertaining can make it the least wonderful time.
We can welcome celebrating with family and friends, yet find those encounters create emotional tension and strain. When we feel sad that loved ones can’t be with us, either through distance or death, the season can become the worst of the year.
By anticipating stressful holiday events and the feelings they trigger, we can prepare ourselves for the physical and emotional stress of the holiday season, and find a way to enjoy the festivities with “hearts all a glowing.”
resources for confronting and conquering holiday stress
Writer Bruce Y. Lee takes a lighthearted but serious look at the holiday season and suggests music may help us cope better in
“Twelve Days of Christmas”: Keep perspective and if the Holidays are tough for you, remember that the Holiday season is temporary and will pass. Try not to take yourself and things too seriously. Just make sure you maintain healthy habits and avoid behaviors that will lead to health problems (such as gaining weight) beyond the holiday season.”
“Don’t worry about how things should be. Most people have less than perfect holiday gatherings — they have family tension, melancholy, and dry turkey too. If you have negative feelings, don’t try to deny them. Remember that there’s nothing wrong or shameful or unusual about feeling down during the holidays.
Can’t say no? Then keep your gatherings small and intimate. Get together with a few of your closest friends or relatives for the holidays. Choose to throw the big blowout parties at another time of the year, when you and your guests will have fewer commitments competing for your precious time.”
“The secret to a happy holiday is learning to collaborate and to create a plan that is uniquely yours with a goal to experience more serenity, more joy, and more opportunities to nurture the souls of those you love.
But, most important, it is to remember the greatest gift ever given, the gift of the Christ Child. Take time to simply sit and ponder this amazing miracle. “
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And in this blog post, Joshua Becker reminds us to
We all enjoy our holiday traditions of eating and drinking special foods and beverages; we even sing about them. But these can cause problems for people who need to manage what they eat and drink for medical reasons.
As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.
View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.
16 thoughts on “How to anticipate and relieve holiday stress”
Thank you for sharing this on Traffic Jam Weekend. It has been chosen as a fave feature for this week’s link party that goes live on Thursday at 5:00 pm CST.
Aletha,
The anticipation of the stress levels at the holidays season is already stressful enough.
These are simple tips to apply and love the accompanying stress management resources.
Thanks for sharing this at traffic jam weeekend link party 353.
H Emma
Great post! You offer actionable advice about avoiding or relieving stress during the holiday season. Thank you for sharing this post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 43.
Carol http://www.scribblingboomer.com
Awesome reminders and good to be reminded and to read through them, for sure I took notes. Thank you or sharing at SSPS. Shared on SM @esmesalon #SeniorSalonPitStop
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Thanks for the important reminders, Aletha. I’ve come a long way towards not worrying about how things “should be” and not over-extending myself trying to make things perfect. This year, I’m going to put in extra effort to keep good sleep and physical activity habits.
You’re welcome Christie. I think that’s one of the things we learn with time- perfection is an unreachable goal. It’s ok to strive for excellence, but not at the expense of joy.
Great tips here Aletha as stress can take the joy out of this wonderful time of year. I love the point about not worrying about how things ‘should be’. We can put so much pressure on because we want the ‘perfect’ day rather than just appreciating and enjoying being with family and friends. Thanks for the tips
watercress words by Dr Aletha 
Thank you for sharing this on Traffic Jam Weekend. It has been chosen as a fave feature for this week’s link party that goes live on Thursday at 5:00 pm CST.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aletha,
The anticipation of the stress levels at the holidays season is already stressful enough.
These are simple tips to apply and love the accompanying stress management resources.
Thanks for sharing this at traffic jam weeekend link party 353.
H Emma
LikeLiked by 1 person
Althea, I so appreciate you sharing these great resources with Sweet Tea & Friends this month. These are going to come in helpful.
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Great post! You offer actionable advice about avoiding or relieving stress during the holiday season. Thank you for sharing this post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 43.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
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Awesome reminders and good to be reminded and to read through them, for sure I took notes. Thank you or sharing at SSPS. Shared on SM @esmesalon #SeniorSalonPitStop
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Thanks. Even though I’ve read them before, I found them to be good reminders.
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Great reminders on how to take care of ourselves. As well, how taking care of ourselves can effect everyone around us.
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Thanks for the important reminders, Aletha. I’ve come a long way towards not worrying about how things “should be” and not over-extending myself trying to make things perfect. This year, I’m going to put in extra effort to keep good sleep and physical activity habits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome Christie. I think that’s one of the things we learn with time- perfection is an unreachable goal. It’s ok to strive for excellence, but not at the expense of joy.
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Great tips here Aletha as stress can take the joy out of this wonderful time of year. I love the point about not worrying about how things ‘should be’. We can put so much pressure on because we want the ‘perfect’ day rather than just appreciating and enjoying being with family and friends. Thanks for the tips
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I appreciate the feedback Sue, yours is always helpful. You are so right, being with family and friends is what makes the day “special.”
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