Thriving in Holiday Stress

It is a busy time of year, when we can expect a lot. This combined with the high costs of the holiday season can result in increased stress. We need to try to counter the stress caused by all this holiday pressure. If we can stick to a budget, lower our expectations and do things to slow our pace we can help to lower our stress levels.

Some tips to counter holiday stress are to:

* Keep an appreciation journal. This helps create happiness because we focus on what matters. This could be our health, the health and happiness of our family and friends, and what we have going for us in our work and lives. If we compare ourselves to others who are rich and famous and who appear to have it all, we will create unhappiness within ourselves.
* Interpret ambiguous events in positive ways. I know someone who often interprets negative events positively. He was driving with his son when someone ran a stop sign and hit them. Luckily no one was hurt. He said to his son, “Well that was a good lesson for you, accidents can happen so easily, it’s important to drive defensively and not be in a hurry or distracted while driving. ” This interpretation helped him focus on what was positive and generative even in this negative situation.
* Spend money on experiences. Happiness is linked with leisure and services examples are sports, entertainment, vacations, massages, cooking classes, etc. We appreciate experiences and remember them longer than material things.
* Relish what you want to have before you buy it, then you will appreciate it more when it comes your way. Wanting something and working hard to get it has benefits.

Give yourself a break:

* Meditate, do some tai chi, yoga or something that quiets your mind,
* Exercise, the endorphins make you feel great and provide stress relief,
* Walk to your local store when you need to pick something up there,
* Cuddle a hot water bottle and blanket on the couch or bed,
* Buy yourself a self-massager, it can help you sooth your tight muscles,
* Put a towel in the dryer to use warm after showering or bathing.

Strong relationships bring happiness. What could you do to build the friendships and relationships in your life?

* Give a friend or relative in need some assistance,
* Make supper for someone you care about,
* Call a good friend or family member you haven’t talked to in a while,
* Listen attentively to your friends and relatives. Giving them an ear and focusing on their situation is a great gift in our multi-tasking, distracted world,

The gift of unhurried time for oneself or with others is a wonderful gift in the midst of our overly complex and busy lives.

Historically shopping was a way to connect with others in the community as it occurred in a marketplace. Markets are still a way to do this. The best community shopping experience I have is shopping at a store called Community Natural or at local produce markets. Seeing familiar or new faces, children, families and friends gives one a sense of shared community.

When we apply ourselves to something challenging we often become happier. After we attain the essentials, and are rested, meeting a challenge can be fulfilling. For example:

* Building a backpack filled with practical consumables given to children in need,
* Helping out at a local soup kitchen or food bank,
* Volunteering,
* Learning to play the guitar,
* Learning another language,
* Studying a subject of personal interest,
* Applying ourselves to changing for the better.