Self Care: Managing Holiday Stress

Stress is not about all of the things going on around you; stress is your personal reaction to those circumstances. Stress can be a good thing, heightening your senses and productivity, while too much stress can worsen physical and emotional problems. Symptoms can include aches and pains (due to muscle tightness) as well as increased anxiety, insomnia, perhaps mild depression. But you can choose to manage your holiday stress healthfully:

• Attitude: Develop a positive, but realistic, attitude toward the holiday season.
• Talk things out: Don't hold in negative feelings of anger, hurt, sadness; express and share your positive feelings of excitement and joy.
• Exercise regularly: Plan to spend 30 minutes every other day in the Fitness Center, or walk two miles near home at least each weekend day.
• Efficiency: Manage work and home time efficiently. Holidays are a good time to start using "To Do" lists.
• Don't use drugs: Alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs only lead to greater "rebound" stress. Tranquilizers and sleeping pills should be used only under your doctor's care, and only for extreme, short-term, emergencies.
• Relaxation: Must be included on your "To Do" list. Use music, meditation, visual imagery, or reading.
• Rest: Get enough sleep each night, preferably after your scheduled relaxation.
• Crises: Follow the example of successful executives who see every crisis as a chance to learn and grow.
• Support network: Don't go it alone. Reach out for the friends, family, clergy and other people you can count on for help.

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