Making the holidays manageable

  • Published
  • By Marilyn Leggett
  • Civilian Health Promotion Service
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The hustle and bustle of the holidays comes, for most of us, in addition to the normal stressors and demands of our daily lives. In a perfect world, business would be halted from Thanksgiving to New Years to allow fun, relaxation, and a break from everyday worries. The truth, however, is our to-do lists just get longer. 

We often place a lot of personal demands on ourselves because we usually have expectations of how the holidays should be. When it comes to time, money, and social and family commitments most people try to do too much. This year in particular, presents financial challenges few of us may have ever before experienced. 

Here are some tips to help you keep the best of the holiday spirit intact: It's important to set priorities; no one needs to attend every activity and invitation. Choose those engagements that are most meaningful for you and your family and then graciously decline other offers. Planning is also a key to low-stress holidays. Make lists for shopping and errands and enlist everyone's help with baking, wrapping gifts, and keeping the house tidy. Keep things simple; spending more doesn't translate into better and sometimes store-bought cookies taste just as good as homemade. Make sure that activities are manageable and enjoyable and not just a display of what you think others expect from your celebrations. 

The holidays are frequently a time of mixed emotions. We are told we should enjoy family gatherings and, yet, we may have reason to dread times together with loved ones. The holidays are frequently when we think about friends or relatives who are no longer with us and this can be a particularly sad or lonely time for many. 

It is helpful to remember balance and moderation in order to survive the holidays: Eating reasonably and minimizing excessive alcohol intake are important. Keep your sleep habits stable during the holiday and pace your activities from day-to-day and week-to-week to avoid the stress that comes from physical and mental fatigue. For a better holiday, make it one that you have designed, busy or quiet, joyous or pensive; social or private. 

Here are excerpts from Hope Health Publications "Bill of Rights for the Holidays": 

-You Have the Right to Take Care of Yourself: To eat right, exercise regularly, and get enough rest.
-You Have the Right to Have Mixed Emotions: Happy, sad, frustrated, guilty, afraid, and thankful.
-You Have the Right to Have Solitude: For planning, thinking, reflection, introspection, prayer, and relaxation.
-You Have the Right Not to Accept: Some or all of your party/activity invitations.
-You Have the Right to Ask for Help and Support: From friends, family, your church, synagogue, or mosque; and/or community service agencies.
-You Have the Right to Give Gifts: That are within your holiday budget.
-You Have the Right to Say "No": To alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and a second piece of pie. -You Have the Right Not to Ride With a Drunk Driver.
-You Have the Right (And a Duty) to Take Away the Keys of a friend or relative who is drunk and wants to drive, and to call a taxi.
-You Have the Right to Smile: At harried salesclerks and angry drivers, and to give them a "peace" of your mind.