 Newsletter
- December 2001
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Coping Tips for the Holidays
Whatever our beliefs and traditions, the winter holidays are heartfelt
and full of promise. Our families will be together and happy; the
children will be good and grateful; our partners will be gracious
mind readers; we will have enough time and enough money; our spirits
will be filled with peace and love. For some, this is a dream or
nightmare!
Today, it is more likely that the common holiday experience of adults
and children alike will be stress.
For adults, especially parents, navigating the Christmas season
and winter holidays -- coping with disrupted work and caretaking
schedules, and stretching to achieve the ideal images bombarding
them from every TV screen and store shelf, on top of already hectic
routines -- can leave nerves and emotions scattered like so much
glitter off a card. In the best case, happy holidays often means
managing the magic with a migraine.
Another common denominator is grief. There are so many underlying
issues, losses such as the death of a family member, or a pet, or
divorce, a job loss, or a move away from friends or family, that
affect us. Our society expects us to grieve quickly, to put on a
'smiley face,' but it's really a process that we need to go through,
no matter that it's the holidays.
Here are the key ingredients to keeping healthy and managing stress
(no matter what time of the year).
BE NATURAL: The key to surviving the holiday season
B -- Breathe deeply, it will help increase energy levels.
E -- Exercise: 20 minutes, three times a week -- and running
from errand to errand doesn't count!
N -- Nutrition: Three well-balanced meals each day.
A -- Attitude: Negative attitudes are contagious and destructive.
Try to see the glass half full.
T -- Time management: Set priorities and don't take on more
than you can handle.
U -- Uniqueness: Recognize and treasure your own uniqueness.
Say 'no' when necessary.
R -- Relaxation: Private time to read or listen to music
-- a time not to focus on the next item to do.
A -- Associations: Maintain contact with nurturing support
systems -- colleagues, friends, family.
L -- Laughter: Still the best medicine.
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