Overcoming Adversity - Holiday Related Stress

Now that we’re stepping into the holidays, it is very important to take extra good care of yourself. Have you noticed, that every year the holidays seem to get advertised earlier and earlier? This year I noticed that Christmas displays went up a day after Halloween. In previous years, I didn’t see any sign of Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving.

Nationally, folks are experiencing a lot more stress this year because of the current economic situation combined with how to manage the holidays. Seeing Christmas decorations so early in the season almost seems to push people over the top. Symptoms show up as anxiety, depression, increased use of alcohol, road rage, sickness and anger.

For many, holidays bring up unresolved issues around families, which can get brushed under the rug during the year. Family members often feel obligated to visit each other and the replay of last years drama may well be played out year after year unless there is resolution.

So, how can someone overcome holiday related stress? The first thing to do is to notice if there is a change in your outlook. Are you experiencing a short temper? Do you get overly upset over minor things? Is your sleep restless and / or are you waking up in the middle of the night? While it’s natural this time of year to feel a little more tired then usual, due to the change in the seasons, one sign of increased stress are sleep disturbances. Are you getting sick more often? Do you feel like isolating yourself? These are just a few noticeable signs that can indicate you are stressed out. Noticing is the first step in overcoming.

Some suggestions for dealing with these signs are to bump up your self-care. Make it a point to get outside everyday to get some fresh air and to move your body. If you exercise, continue working out 3 – 4 days a week. If exercise is new to you, begin incorporating it into your life. Note: if you have health issues, talk with your health practitioner first before beginning an exercise regime. Allow 5 minutes in the morning after you get up and 5 minutes in the evening before going to bed to sit quietly and breath. Sitting in silence and breathing is a wonderful way to release tension and stress. Breathing in gratitude, appreciation and love helps release pent up emotions and body tension. Surround yourself with people who you can talk to about what you are experiencing. If necessary, seek out a counselor who can guide you. Above all, know that it is common to feel holiday stress, and it doesn’t need to pull you down. The way up and out of holiday stress is to notice and to take proactive steps in taking care of precious you. There is so much to be thankful for.

I hope that these suggestions have been helpful. If you have specific things that you do to take care of yourself this time of year, I would love to hear about them.

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