Holiday Stress

Are you feeling stressed out? Working or not, the Holidays can be a stressful time for many. Searching for that perfect gift and trying to not break the bank while you're doing it. Wrapping presents, planning feasts, visiting family and friends, cleaning your home, all contribute to the stress factor. All this while you are trying to live your daily (and probably already stressful) life!

Don't feel alone! You are not. Most people do get stressed during the holiday season. Add to this the New England cold weather and we are all dreaming of warmer shores.

There are no easy ways to completely alleviate stress, but there are some things you can do to make it somewhat less trying.

Make lists! This is important. Make lists of everyone you are buying a gift for. Then decide on the amount you will spend on each one. Then write down several possible gifts for each one that might fall in that price range. Start your shopping early. Theres no better feeling than having bought all your presents (and having them wrapped too) the week before Christmas.

If you are hosting the Family party, make lists for that also. Lists of who is attending, drinks, foods. Then plan your time accordingly. When you will shop, when you will cook, when you will call the bakery.

As you go through your lists of things to do, be sure to cross them off as they are done. Make the lists as long as you like and make each thing to do small. This way, you will have a feeling of accomplishment as you see so many items crossed off.

Lastly, and just as important. You have heard that you need to take time for yourself and you say, yeah, right! The truth is, you "can" take at least ten minutes a couple of times a day. In the morning and in the evening. Try to be somewhere alone and clear your mind. Do not think about anything at all. If you find this hard to do, then focus on something that brings you pleasure, a vacation that you took, or would like to take. The important thing here, in this ten minutes, is to NOT think about all you have to do!

Remember, there's only a couple of weeks left and you will have your Holiday memories!

Peace to all my friends and family during this Holiday Season!