Article Categories
» Arts & Entertainment
» Automotive
» Business
» Careers & Jobs
» Education & Reference
» Finance
» Food & Drink
» Health & Fitness
» Home & Family
» Internet & Online Businesses
» Miscellaneous
» Self Improvement
» Shopping
» Society & News
» Sports & Recreation
» Technology
» Travel & Leisure
» Writing & Speaking

  Listed Article

  Category: Articles » Self Improvement » Motivation » Article
 

Holiday Stress Hotspots: Manage Stress with Knowledge




By Simma Lieberman

There are four main causes of holiday stress: gift giving obligations, expenses, a lack of time, and unrealistic expectations about creating a perfect holiday. To reduce holiday stress, arm yourself with knowledge. Know the ins and outs of these top four holiday stress hotspots and follow these effective stress-reducing tips:

Holiday Stress Hotspot #1: Gifts

* Make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for.
* Look for gifts you can buy for multiple people. Similarly, look for stores where you can buy many gifts for a lot of people.
* Plan a few back-up gifts, generic gifts with blank cards for people you might forget or who unexpectedly give you a gift.
* Focus on the point of gift giving: showing your appreciation for someone. Enjoy the process of finding them something they'll like.
* If you don't like shopping, plan a single gift shopping day. Make this day sooner than later to avoid the holiday shopping craze.
* Or, don't go shopping. Thanks to the internet and catalogues, there is enough time to order gifts so you don't have to leave your house or office.
* Better yet, take off the whole month of December and go to the mountains where no one can call, email or page you.

Holiday Stress Hotspot #2: Holiday Expenses

* Set a budget, and stick to it. Don't buy gifts that you'll spend the rest of the year trying to pay off.
* Think of alternative ways to give gifts (set up a gift exchange, make some handmade gifts or foodstuffs).
* Choose inexpensive ways of entertaining and enjoying. Have a potluck party instead of providing all the food yourself.
* Do activities with family and friends that cost little or no money: go on walks, have a movie night instead of going to see the latest blockbuster together.
* Give the gift of a phone call or note. Let the people you care about know how important they are to you with words, not expensive gifts. Most people need this type of nourishment in general and may need it even more during the holidays. It may be the best gift they get.

Holiday Stress Hotspot #3: A Lack of Time

* Complete your gift shopping early. This will relieve you of one of the biggest time stresses during the holidays.
* Refuse Invitations. You don't have to go to every party you're invited to. If party going becomes a chore or exhausting, step back and slow down the pace.
* Take time for yourself. With so much emphasis on time with family and friends, many people feel guilty taking time for themselves. Take it. When you consciously plan to have alone time, it keeps you empowered and reduces possible feelings of melancholy during the holiday season. You will also be also be less overwhelmed by external stimuli.
* Share the tasks. Don't take on too much. View your to-do list as an opportunity to spend time with people.
* Share responsibilities and your tasks will take half as long and be more enjoyable.

Holiday Stress Hotspot #4: Anticipation and Expectations

* Be realistic. Just because it's the holidays, family issues will not suddenly disappear and everything will not be perfect.
* Adjust your expectations. Expect a few bumps in the road at family events and gatherings and you'll be better able to deal with them.
* Relish Traditions. Focus on those little traditions that make evoke positive memories for the holidays: songs, events, rituals, etc. Consider creating new traditions if older ones are marred with mixed memories.

 
 
About the Author
Simma Lieberman helps organizations create environments where people can do their best work and be successful. She specializes in Diversity and Inclusion, Diversity Dialogues, and Eliminating Fear and Self-doubt. Simma is the co-author with Kate Berardo and George Simons of the book "Putting Diversity to Work." She can be reached at http://www.simmalieberman.com

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/17089.html
 
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/17089.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked.



  Some other articles by Simma Lieberman
Break Through Self-Doubt and Fear
Self-doubt and fear interfere with our ability to achieve or set goals. Self-doubt and fear are the voices in our head telling us, "You'll never succeed, so why try?" ...

Stress; Control It, Change It or Let It Go!
Have you ever tried to control other people? Who gets stressed out? Have you ever tried to control things or events over which you had no control? Do you find ...

Are You Wasting Your Money on Diversity Training?
If you are planning to spend money on diversity training, WAIT! You may be wasting your money if you haven't done any ...

Ten PC Tips for Communicating with a Diverse Audience
By learning to speak to a diverse audience, you can broaden your client base transfer the learning to more people. We need to ...

How to Recruit and Retain Diverse Candidates
If there is not enough diversity in your employee base or there is high turnover with certain groups of employees, your organization will not be able to leverage the power of diversity. Building ...

Appreciating Diversity During the Holidays: It's about more than just a simple "Happy Holidays"
Guess who's not celebrating Christmas this year? Millions of people in the US. That's right. Tens of millions of Americans don't ...

  
  Recent Articles
Motivational Speaker
by usha rani

Motivational Keynote Speaker
by usha rani

Optimism vs. Pessimism
by Nick Schultz

Dreaming You
by Neil Millar

Dream Interpretation in the Online Age
by Ade Perillo

Not Reaching Your Goals
by Valerie Hylen

Second Chance Program Raising Self-Respect in Mexico Inmates
by Kris Nickerson

Get Enthusiastic, Live Your Life On Purpose. Nine Characteristics.
by Ineke Van Lint

The Astounding Power of Faith
by Adebola Oni

Hold On To Your Dreams
by Adebola Oni

66% Improvement With This Technique
by Neil Millar

If I Can, You Can! - Attract Much More in 2007
by Tracy Woolley

Can't connect to database