A holiday means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but almost everyone hopes for a break from the daily grind, and a time to relax and unwind.
Switching off and getting into ‘bucket-and-spade’ mode can be easier said than done, especially when there are expenses, food and family thrown into the mix. One study suggested that holiday stress and over-indulgence over the festive season helps explain the soaring rate of heart attacks in December and January.
So, how can you make sure you have a REAL holiday this year?
Stressors are the factors and events that cause stress – and key stressors at holiday time are having to handle relatives that you don’t see often, crowds (on the beach, and in the shopping malls), busy roads and unforeseen expenses.
To help deal with expectations:
- Be realistic – neither you nor your holiday has to be perfect – manage your expectations and be flexible. A lot of the time the most fun you’ll have is when it’s unplanned.
- Stop worrying about things that are out of your control. So what if Aunt Mary can’t stand Aunt Helen – put nice Aunt Ivy between them, and then let it go.
- Take care of yourself. Many of us spend so much time caring for the needs of others that we neglect our own needs. One of the best things you can do for yourself these holidays is to give yourself the gift of some “me time.”
So, that’s our idea for beating holiday stress – what’s your plan?