JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Holiday stress can be brought on by many different events and can result in a variety of emotions, from sheer happiness and joy to loneliness or sadness.
Some people begin to panic around the first of December when they realize the clock is ticking down to Christmas and they don't know when they will be able to decorate, shop, wrap, cook, and get the house ready for out-of-town guests. Some people may have additional stress around the holidays due to a recent death of a loved one or being separated from a loved one. Holiday stress can wreak havoc on our health and emotional well-being but you can enjoy all the holiday festivities with a positive attitude and support from others.
- Surround yourself with close family and friends. Community events or volunteering is a great way to reach out to those who are less fortunate while also building camaraderie among your peers. Invite friends over to help with cooking or wrapping presents. You will be able to spend quality time while decreasing your to-do list.
- Be open to new holiday traditions. Realize that it is ok to have a less than perfect Christmas tree or not have a light display that resembles Clark Griswold's from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."
- Prepare a budget to prevent overspending. Make a list of whom you are buying presents for and decide how much you will be spending on each person. If you cannot afford to buy everyone on your list a gift, be creative with a homemade gift or suggest a Secret Santa gift. You can make a coupon book with free babysitting nights for those who have children or a free home-cooked meal and movie night for a friend who is away from home.
- Just say no. With your calendar inundated with holiday parties, shopping trips, and work events, it's okay to decline an invitation to meet friends for dinner or a holiday party. Friends and colleagues will understand how busy the holidays are. Suggest getting together after the holiday when things are much calmer.
- Stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine. Cooler weather and daylight savings time can result in abandoning your diet and exercise plan. In the winter, our bodies naturally crave higher calorie and fat foods for warmth and comfort. When cooking, use low-fat, low-calorie substitutions such as low-fat skim milk for whole milk or pureed pumpkin for oil.
- As it gets dark earlier, go for a brisk walk or run before work or start a walking group with your co-workers during your lunch break.
- Make some time for yourself. Go for a walk, schedule a massage, meditate, sign up for a yoga class, listen to music, take a bubble bath or read. If you only have a short amount of time, a 15-minute nap will rejuvenate you and help you get through the rest of your day.
- Speak with a professional if you need it. Physicians and mental health counselors are able to provide you with the help you need. Please seek their help if you continue to have feelings of isolation and despair.
Join us for the Pursuit of Happiness class, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Health and Wellness Center and learn how to manage holiday stress and identify triggers that impact your overall health and wellness. The point of contact is Behavioral Health Counselor, Treslyn Tolbert. Call the HAWC at 963-4007 to register.