I got up early this morning and went shopping, I’m so glad I did! I raced through the store while hardly anyone else was there, and had all of my purchases made by noon. By noon, the stores were packed, the parking lot was a mess, people were everywhere, and I was on my way home.

The Holidays can be a very stressful time, but if you do some simple things to work around the most stressful situations that come up, it can be a time of Fun and excitement while humming along to the once-a-year Christmas tunes.

Here’s a helpful article from the American Psychology Association on how to keep a handle on holiday stress.

Surviving the holidays: how to de-stress

Have you done your holiday baking? Is your home ready for guests? Gift shopping all done? Are these questions stressing you out?
While the holidays can bring us closer to family and be a warm source of wonderful memories, for many of us it can also be a time of great stress. Make connections. The holidays are a time to reconnect with family and friends. Make this the focus of your holidays instead of the small stuff that can take over the season.

Set realistic goals. Take small, concrete steps to deal with holiday tasks instead of overwhelming yourself with goals that are too far-reaching for this busy time.

Keep things in perspective. Avoid blowing events out of proportion. Consider stressful situations in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective.

Take decisive actions. Instead of letting holiday stressors get the best of you, make a decision to address the underlying cause of the stressful situation.

Take care of yourself. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings during the holiday season. Engage in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing.
Remember that you have a choice in how you will let seasonal stressors affect you. Use the tips above to have a more enjoyable, and more relaxing, holiday season!

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