how to

features | how to Manage StressDuring the Holidays

By Rod King

The holiday season, which should be a time of happiness, joy, and sharing, can often lead to stress and depression when everything seems to pile up. And it’s not just one thing that tips the scale, but a whole litany of events and activities that merge together to bring about excessive stress.

Experts agree that the answer is organization, organization, organization. Stretch out your holiday preparations so that they’re not all coming at one time. Make a list of the things that need to be accomplished and choose certain days to get them done. For example: gift shopping on Monday, food shopping on Wednesday, decorating the house on Friday, etc.

Purchasing holiday gifts for some people starts as early as July and runs right up to the big day. It’s easy to lose track of what has already been purchased and then find one’s self doubled up. Set your budget and stick to it. Leave credit and debit cards at home and only take the amount of cash you can afford to spend. Lists help contain the urge to over-buy/over-spend. Mark down the name of the individual, the gift, and the price.

Sending cards can be overwhelming because you want them to arrive prior to the holiday. Instead of sitting down and churning out 30 or 40 cards in one setting, do a few each evening while watching TV or when taking an afternoon coffee break. They’ll get done quicker than you think and your writing hand won’t be cramped.

If preparing for the family includes moving or setting up tables, don’t wait until the last minute and scramble to get everything in place. Do a little at a time and spread the setting of the tables over a period of days.

To take some of the pressure off the cook (you), how about asking guests to bring a salad, a casserole, mashed potatoes, vegetables, or a dessert? Order a pre-cooked ham or turkey that only needs heating. Would your guests riot if they learned the mashed potatoes came out of a box or that the gravy was from a can? Does everything really have to be perfect? Making the whole process easy on yourself reduces the amount of stress and is much better for your overall health.

Clean-up after a big meal can be daunting. Encourage your guests to help clear the table and bring the dishes to the kitchen. They could also gather up the wrapping paper, bottles, and cans, and get them out of the way or even put them in the trash. Clutter and confusion increases stress.

After all the work is done, put on your coat and step outside for some alone time. Let your shoulders droop, your arms hang down and take some deep breaths. A little crisp, cool air will do you a lot of good and prepare you to rejoin the family gathering inside with a satisfied smile.