Holiday stress inducers (and what to do about them)

Do you look forward to the holidays, or do you dread them? Either way, it's strange how many of us get so caught up in meeting extra obligations and expectations. Instead of enjoying the season, we feel "stressed out."

Here are some common holiday stress inducers and suggestions for managing them.

Buying gifts

If buying gifts for your family, friends, co-workers, etc., overwhelms you – and your finances – consider doing things differently.

Changes like these can ease the gift-buying burden. And once you suggest them, you might discover that others feel the same way you do and would welcome the change.

If you have a large family, ask for input from everyone about ways to make holiday spending more manageable.
Suggest getting everyone together to draw names so that everyone buys only one gift.
Set limits for your friends and co-workers, too. Name drawing can be one way to go. Or decide on a maximum amount to spend.

Extra busy schedules

While holiday activities like school programs, shopping trips and parties can be a lot of fun, it's easy to overdo it. When you "absolutely have to go" you can choose how to go about it. For example…

Decide in advance how much time you plan to spend there. It's okay to go home after a couple of hours instead of spending all night at a party.
If you've been invited to two events on the same day, choose the one that works best for you and politely decline the other. There’s nothing wrong with that.
At the end of a hectic day, take a few minutes for some quiet time. Before you go to bed, stretch out and breathe deeply to calm yourself down.

Eating more, exercising less

Increased socializing often means more eating and less exercising. It's normal to let things go – a little bit. Here are ways to keep "letting go" under control:

During parties keep track of what you eat, especially appetizers. Try to avoid fats like sauces, gravy and melted cheese.
Be aware of how much you put on your plate, and don't pile it high with food.
Try to squeeze in exercise. Fifteen or 20 minutes during your lunch break is a lot better than no exercise at all. If you're into watching football on television, get off the couch and get moving at halftime. While watching TV, use a home treadmill or stationary bike.

Why are we celebrating?

Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, be sure to stay focused on that.

If you have children, talk with them about your values and the meaning of the season. This will help them understand it's not just about getting lots of stuff.
If you have a spouse or partner, do something together that is meaningful to both of you. It can become a tradition that you'll come to cherish and look forward to.
If you don't have a spouse or partner, think about creating a tradition with other friends. You'll be able to look forward to it from year to year.

Spend time helping others during the holidays and throughout the year. It can help you feel connected to people and appreciate what you have in life. This in turn can help you respond well to the stress that comes your way.