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[/custom_frame_center] Back-to-back holidays are truly the most wonderful time of the year. Right? Not for everyone. Even for those who feel pretty stable in their lives often feel an inordinate amount of stress during the Thanksgiving to New Year season. Here’s a list of top 12 ways to cope this season:
12 – Make an extra appointment to see your counselor. Use the support system you already have in place, or put a support system in place if you don’t already have one. Your counselor is a great resource and can provide other ideas for support groups, social groups, and ways to make the holidays easier.
11 – Pick and choose your social events. It’s a busy time for most people and it’s okay to say no to seeing everyone this season. For those friends you’d like to spend time with, plan a get-together for one of those boring days of January, February or March. For those people better seen on their Christmas cards, just say no.
10 – Remember everyone’s stress levels go up as time and expenses get tight – It’s not only you who is circling around the mall parking lot 50 times to find a spot. The holidays do not bring out the best in everyone.
9 – Do a little something for yourself. As you buy Christmas gifts, grab some coffee and a treat at a local coffeehouse. Sit down at Barnes & Noble and peruse the latest bestseller after you’ve shopped for your kids’ teachers.
8 – Shop online – Do malls give you sensory overload? There’s a reason online commerce is a $703 billion dollar industry. Try some websites that offer a Wish List option to store your family’s gift ideas.
7 – Use mindfulness like the Jedi Force – It takes practice to be (and stay) aware and accepting of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and surrounding environment, but the benefits are huge. You can rule your own emotions this holiday season by becoming a mindfulness Jedi.
6 – Ignore the comments, questions and advice. Holiday stress makes the ability to laugh things off pretty difficult…especially when comments come from rarely-seen relatives or when your Mom tells an embarrassing story about you in public. Try to remember that the holidays, just like awkward moments, are temporary. Focus on the positive moments and (Use the Force, Mindfulness Jedi) feelings.
5 – Don’t play clairvoyant. What will be the greatest gifts ever? Ask your family what they would like. You don’t have to be an expert on every age’s favorite hobby/toy/newest fad. Tip #8 (above) mentions online Wish Lists – use them. For an adult, a donation to a local charity might be a new and appreciated gesture.
4 – Get plenty of sleep – Everything is harder when you are fatigued. When you’re tired, ignoring unsolicited comments is going to be an even bigger challenge.
3 – Drink, or not – A nice glass of wine at the end of an evening may be really relaxing…unless alcohol makes your life more difficult. Trust your instincts.
2 – Be your age – Old patterns of behavior emerge as family members reunite. You are exactly where you are supposed to be in the age timeline. Don’t revert back to the child your least-favorite aunt remembers or to the teenager your older brother remembers. Right now, you are a wonderful human being, so share that with your family.
1 – Pray or Meditate – There are so many positives to prayer and so many ways to pray and reap the benefits. Make some quiet time each day to reflect and give thanks.
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By: Melissa Hardin Baysinger
