| This year in particular, there are many reasons to | | | | You may have heard some or all of these before, but |
| address the need for stress reduction around the | | | | it's never a bad idea to be reminded. |
| holiday season. With the trauma of our global | | | | 1. Take time to assess your needs and desires this |
| economic crisis only beginning to sink in, you may be | | | | year. Try to look at replacing unhealthy stress-coping |
| very worried about the stability of your job, your | | | | behaviors with healthy ones. Healthy behavior doesn't |
| healthcare coverage, or housing. Even more traumatic, | | | | have to cost money. Hikes and walks are free as are |
| you may have lost your job or home, or be holding on | | | | spending a little more time with family, friends, or |
| by a narrow margin. As we know, in economic | | | | reaching out to someone new. |
| downturns, negative behaviors increase. People drink | | | | 2. Understand time management. If you're way too |
| more alcohol, are more irritable, and have more trouble | | | | busy, learn how to make better use of your time. Even |
| sleeping. Divorce rates go up and kids have more | | | | if you change one habit, or consolidate one task into |
| difficulty in school. With these negative cycles so easy | | | | smaller chunks, it can affect your stress level and |
| to fall into, what can be done to do more that simply | | | | mood positively. Try looking at taking small steps |
| survive through the holidays? | | | | towards change rather than large changes that are |
| Here are some questions to ask yourself: | | | | too hard to implement. Make a short list of time |
| 1. What is your history around the holidays? Do you | | | | wasters you want to reduce and try reducing one of |
| have good memories or difficult ones? It's important to | | | | these by 15 minutes to half an hour, (for example |
| make your goal reachable for this season. If you've | | | | surfing the net.) If you're really unable to do this, you |
| never had a positive Thanksgiving or Christmas it might | | | | may have a habit you need help to break. |
| be unrealistic to expect this year to be completely | | | | 3. Assess your mood, your drinking, drug use, spending, |
| smooth sailing. | | | | gambling, etc. and look at ways to get help if you need |
| 2. How much social support do you have? The more | | | | it. Counseling doesn't have to be expensive. Many |
| isolated you are, the harder it is to feel a part of the | | | | companies have free EAP services. You can access |
| holiday season, unless you enjoy having more time to | | | | insurance, look for sliding fee scale or go to a free |
| spend on solitary activities. Do you have a history of | | | | support group. The first step is to decide if you need |
| less than ideal social support in your life, and do you | | | | help and take the risk of reaching out. One hint: if |
| understand why? Loneliness is hard at any time for | | | | someone else is worried about your behavior or if |
| most people but it can be especially tough during the | | | | you've had negative consequences because of a |
| holiday season when it "seems" like everyone else has | | | | behavior and haven't been able to stop, you may want |
| parties, celebrations, or family and friends around them. | | | | to listen to the concern and get an evaluation from a |
| 3. Are you overly busy? These days, for most people, | | | | professional. |
| we take this for granted. Preparations, and gift giving | | | | 4. Learn how to manage worry and anxiety. Try |
| become burdens rather than pleasures. | | | | simple techniques like belly breathing or one restorative |
| 4. Are you worried or very concerned about money, | | | | yoga pose, unclench your jaw, or close your eyes for |
| or are you in a financial crisis? Obviously, financial | | | | 2 minutes and imagine a place that brings you some |
| worry is a huge source of stress and suffering. It isn't | | | | peace. Coping with worry and anxiety isn't always |
| helped by all the media related bombardment we | | | | easy or simple, but again, small steps can help. |
| receive related to the serious difficulties people are | | | | 5. You've heard this before, but it may be worth |
| having. It may be hard not to feel angry, ripped off, | | | | repeating: Expensive gifts don't buy love. |
| helpless, anxious, or guilty in the face of such a large | | | | 6. Try to hang around people who are supportive and |
| crisis. | | | | reduce the number of negative, critical people in your |
| 5. Do you already have health or mental health issues? | | | | life if you can. If not. try to bring in more positive people. |
| Living with acute or chronic health problems puts a | | | | 7. Find ways to cope with frustration, disappointment, |
| large strain on your life. If you have a family, you may | | | | and loss. For some, the spiritual arena is very helpful. |
| feel guilty or inadequate, which can be exacerbated by | | | | For others, it's being out in nature, making art, or writing. |
| the push to be happy and grateful at the holidays. | | | | Life is going to be filled with challenge. Accepting and |
| Practical tips and suggestions for managing this year's | | | | coping with difficulties are skills we can all work |
| holidays: | | | | towards learning. |