CHARLSTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Do the holidays stress you out in some manner?
Everyone has things that cause bad and good stress in their lives. Individuals may have relatives coming into town for the holidays or you may travel to see them -- either way, there is stress involved.
Some of the stress may be good because you are excited about being with your family and friends; however, it still tends to place a heavy stress load on your life and you may not be aware of the stress until the holidays are done and you have a chance to settle down. Everyone has experienced difficulties while traveling during the holidays, whether it is being in an airport trying to get to their destination or stuck in traffic because everyone is in a rush to get to their final destination.
Individuals may not know they are under stress until something happens that makes them stop and think about what is taking place. Some individuals place extra stress on themselves with worrying about things, such as who to buy gifts for, the amount of money they should spend, who to visit, and what foods they should prepare for the holiday meals. Then others stress out because of the crowds in the stores, waiting in line for an indefinite period of time, or the customer behind them complaining because they are impatient and want to get out of the store.
Depression also tends to take place because of all the highs and lows individuals are experiencing, which could lead to making very poor decisions such as drinking and driving. Everyone is a Wingman; therefore, we should watch for signs of stress in those we are with during the holidays. Individuals may need someone nearby to let their aggravation out on, that does not mean they are aiming their fury at you though. Sometimes that is all it takes to relieve some stress in their life and it just so happens that you were the closest person to them at that given moment. Try not to take things personally, especially if you can tell they need to express themselves, because if you get angry and things escalate, then it makes the situation worse.
It does not matter what causes an individual to stress, it is how they deal with the stress that is extremely important. The bad stress individuals have in their lives can lead them to things they normally wouldn't do. People tend to overeat, drink heavily, say things they do not mean, and over-indulge during stressful times. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, you should try your best to find something that relaxes you such as reading a book, working out, running or watching a movie.
Everyone should remember the holidays are supposed to be a happy time and they shouldn't stress about things they have no control over. Another thing would be for individuals to try to maintain their daily routines if possible. By doing something that makes you happy and brings enjoyment into your life, the stress will decrease and you will be able to make better decisions.
Everyone should slow down and enjoy the holiday season!