Avoid Holiday Stress

The joyous holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah are nearly upon us. And as people begin their time-honored rituals of gift-giving, decorating, entertaining, and preparing food, they increase their susceptibility to stress. Feelings of frustration and tension are normal during such an emotional and busy time of year. In fact, a poll by dateline NBC and Prevention Magazine found 41 percent of those surveyed found the holiday season “somewhat” to “very” stressful. Money was cited as the No. 1 reason for feeling stressed, and women were more likely than men to feel stressed during the holiday season. The good news is, in spite of increased stress levels, 62 percent of those polled said that they still look forward to the holidays.

I’m sharing some strategies to manage holiday stress. Remain relaxed and cheerful during your upcoming celebrations by heeding this simple acronym:

Diet: Strive for healthy eating habits.

Exercise: Schedule time for physical activity.

Sleep: Get sufficient rest each night.

Time management: Plan holiday activities and allot appropriate time for them.

Relaxation: Make time for your self and those you care about.

Expectations: Adopt realistic attitudes about the holidays.

Spending: Stay within a pre-set holiday spending and gift-giving budget.

Savor the season: Celebrate the true meaning of the holidays.