5 Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress

Coping with holiday stress begins with realizing that is important to your health to keep things in a positive and healthy perspective. You might be asking how the heck I can keep a positive healthy perspective when I am going to be in stressful situations. Good question. The first thing you need to ask yourself is it worth putting yourself, and possibly others, through all those negative thoughts, feelings and situations? Realistically you simply cannot predict the outcome of future holiday events, so why ruin your holidays over that anxiety? This is the real question you must come to grips with. Why not make every effort to enjoy and make the most of your time, since holidays happen just like clockwork year after year. You cannot escape that fact, unless you withdraw yourself totally from the holiday festivities. For most of us we know that avoiding the holidays will not work since we all have obligations and commitments to family and friends. So, why not change the way you view the holidays by doing a little pre-thinking and planning?

The following does not include your normal tips in a basket approach. So, hang on to your seatbelt and get ready to make some changes to minimize this years holiday stress.

So, what can you do to put all of the holiday stress into healthy perspective? Here are 5 tips for coping with holiday stress that will help you put together an action plan before the holiday stress blues set in:

Tip #1: Do not create holiday stress by putting yourself in stressful situations, like feeling you have to be with people. If you do not like traveling by car or flying during the holidays, do not put yourself in that situation. Figure out another way to communicate or bond with the people you care about during the holidays. Stick with that plan. Maybe there will be a less stressful time in the future when you can get together and have a relaxed and fun visit.

Tip #2: Christmas stress can be even worse than all the other holidays put together because of the financial aspect of exchanging presents. If you are uncomfortable dealing with the tradition of exchanging presents, do not put yourself in that situation. If you cannot afford to buy presents, do not worry about it. Christmas is not about exchanging gifts anyway. The holidays are about enjoying the presence and company of family and friends. If that is the way you truly feel anyway, than you are only being honest. What others think about your gift giving etiquette is their thoughts and ideas, not yours.

Tip #3: Since holidays involve more drinking of alcoholic beverages and consuming greater amounts of food, do not overindulge. Coping with holiday stress does not have to turn into holiday depression, especially if you clearly understand that overindulging can only lead to gastrointestinal and caloric regrets. Drinking alcohol to excess will probably only magnify your anxieties and invite a huge unwanted hangover the next morning. Staying in control of your faculties and senses is a million times more important than falling victim to the thrill or excitement of the moment. The pressure and anxiety of getting together with people is understandable. However, it is very important that you save your drinking for a more relaxed time in the comfort of a safe environment like your home or apartment. Never drink and drive.

Tip #4: Know in your mind that the people who care about you the most love you for who you are. You do not need to put yourself under any pressure or impress anyone except the good lord when you arrive at the pearly gates of heaven. Pre thinking or trying to evaluate how someone is going to think or act about the way you approach the holidays is a waste of time and energy. Genuinely caring for people does not mean you have to agree with their thoughts, traditions, or lifestyles. Respecting and caring for others does not mean you have to adopt their thought process. Always trying to make others happy, while putting your own personal thoughts and ideals on the back burner, will only lead to bitterness and more holiday stress. Unfortunately we still live in a society where some people still think their thoughts and feelings are all that matters and everyone else must follow their line of thinking or they are screwed up. Don't fall victim to or gather together with people who think that way.

Tip #5: All in all be a kind sole, listen to what others have to say, care about what is important to them to a certain degree and help your friends and family with honesty and enthusiasm. This is what they are truly looking for anyway. Practicing just this one tip will reduce your holiday stress a lot. However, remember, you also have your own thoughts, feelings and perspectives that will become shaken and tormented if you try to please everyone else. Do not fall victim to other people questioning or putting down your feelings and beliefs about the holidays. Allowing this to happen can only lead to holiday depression and anxiety putting you in uncomfortable situations that you will regret.

Final comments: Think and plan ahead when it comes to coping with holiday stress. Re-thinking your thoughts, fears and anxieties about the upcoming holidays will go a long way in minimizing your holiday stress.