Stress Management Over the Festive Season

How to Cope with Christmas Stress

It may well soon be the Season to be jolly but if sometimes if you don't feel like pasting on a smile and being cheerful, don't feel obliged to. If you always find the Holiday Season stressful, spend some time considering what makes you feel most anxious and how you might beat the holiday blues.

Christmas Shopping

If you hate the Christmas shopping crowds, there's still time to plan it so you don't have to do it all in a rush. If you know you don't get enough exercise, just think of all the calories you will be burning off while walking round the shops. Rather than traipsing around with loaded bags, make regular trips back to the car so you can start again with empty arms. Take the stairs as this is healthy for your heart. Avoid crowded lifts and escalators. Make sure shopping bags are evenly packed so you're carrying the same amount of weight on either side.

Finances and Christmas

Money can be a big worry especially in the current economical climate. Limit your Christmas spending. Try to avoid using credit cards. Decide early on exactly how much you can afford to spend and don't overstep this limit. If you're cutting back on gifts, let people know this and you will avoid offending them. Most people will probably agree it is sensible to reduce spending limits this Christmas.

Get receipts for everything you buy and keep them in a safe place. Know your rights about returning or exchanging items. Pay bills as they come in so you don't have to worry about them over Christmas.

Alcohol and the Festive Season

You might worry about how you're going to cope with all the festive gatherings and merrymaking. In Britain, alcohol consumption in December increases by 41%. Think of ways of cutting back on the booze such as adding plenty tonic to shots, don't mix drinks, pace yourself and drink one alcoholic drink every hour. Don't drink on an empty stomach. Don't risk your safety by walking home alone after a Christmas Party. Abstain from alcohol for 48 hours after drinking more than usual, to give your body a chance to recover.

Keep a Sense of Humour

Don't expect everything to go wonderfully, this festive season and try to laugh at the little problems that do occur. Keep a sense of humour. If the cat tries to climb the Christmas tree and all goes crashing down onto the ground, there will be ways to put everything back together again and if you refuse to let things get to you, you might even find these little episodes funny too.

So lower your expectations this Christmas. Children can be disappointed when Santa fails to bring the gifts they wanted and adults can feel let down too when festive events don't go as expected. Don't feel the responsibility is all yours. Delegate everyday festive commitments and get everyone in the household to do their share.

You might feel like doing something different this year rather than sticking with family traditions. If the idea of getting together with certain relatives fills you with anxiety, either let your family know you're making alternative arrangements this year or plan it so you only have time to show your face then make an excuse to leave.

Festive Food

If you're worried about all the weight you might put on while indulging in tasty festive fair, you might maintain your weight by being more careful about what you eat. You can still have a good time without having an extra mince pie! Just ask yourself whether you want to face the task of trying to get in trim once Christmas is over and you might decide it's easier to eat sensibly instead. A positive attitude is more likely to help you feel healthy and stay slim over the festive season. A resigned 'I know I'm going to gain weight this Christmas' is likely to lead to just that!

Making simple changes to your cooking over Christmas might help keep the family healthy. Cook in olive oil for instance, add butternut squash, celery and peppers to the usual Christmas vegetables and this will add colour to the meal as well as provide extra nutrients. Another way to control your food intake is to monitor portion size. Going for a long walk after a big meal is also a healthy option.

Things to Look Forward to this Christmas

Things to look forward to this Christmas: You might enjoy the company of friends you've not seen in a while, get to know your colleagues better at the works party and play family games with the children. Pause and smell the pine and the holly. Spend a little time reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. Stop and catch a snowflake on your tongue.

First published by Carole Anne, Yahoo Voices 2009