Bust Holiday Stress!

The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear the way for greater joy, love and meaning this year by "busting" these sources of holiday stress:

1. TOO MUCH TO DO IN TOO LITTLE TIME

This week, set holiday priorities with your family. Discuss what traditions to keep, which to discard, and which new traditions to try.

Make a holiday to-do list NOW and create a realistic schedule for when to accomplish each item.

Avoid overscheduling.

Ask family members for help with holiday tasks.

2. LONG LINES IN STORES

Shop via catalog or Internet, and avoid stores on weekends.

If you're shopping with small children, take along snacks, books, toys or other items to make waiting in line more pleasant. Or, if you're sufficiently uninhibited, sing a holiday song with your child.

If you're shopping alone, use waiting time to relax and and center yourself with meditation or prayer. Try directing your attention to your breathing at your belly. Or practice observing the people around you through the eyes of compassion, without judging. Give thanks or pray for healing, peace, or other concerns close to your heart.

3. DIFFICULT RELATIVES

Take some quiet time to develop a plan for taking care of yourself around relatives who "get your goat."

Invest in yourself by using a therapist to help create a plan to protect your boundaries.

4. CRANKY KIDS

Think "low key" for a happy celebration with little ones. Remember that your small child thrives on your undivided attention and has a limited capacity to adjust to adults' "needs" to hurry.

Protect your child's naptime and playtime.

Spend "floor-time" with your child every day.

5. COMMERCIALISM

Create family traditions that involve giving to those in need.

Focus on low-cost or no-cost holiday traditions.

Help keep children's expectations realistic. For example, you might say "You'll get about the same amount of presents as you did on your birthday."

6. BILLS

Decide on a holiday budget for entertaining and gifts.

If credit cards make overspending too easy, stick to cash for holiday purchases.

7. LOSS

If you have lost a loved one, the holidays may intensify your grief. Explore ways to cope at www.griefnet.org/library/articles/hfa-tips.html or www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=FL00055.

If "holiday blues" persist or seem particularly intense, don't hesitate to reach out for professional help. Your physician or clergyperson can give you a referral.

8. POST-HOLIDAY LET-DOWN

Spread out the fun at least through the end of school vacation by planning an outing or a fun time at home for each day. A little forethought and planning can go a long way towards making you glad the holidays are coming - instead of just being glad when they're over. Your wisdom holds the key to holiday joy.

© 2004 Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC

Norma Schmidt, Coach, LLC, specializes in helping working mothers create balance. She offers workshops, teleclasses and individual and group coaching. She also edits "The Balance Point," a free e=mail newsletter. Visit http://www.NormaSchmidt.com to learn more.

---

What Are You Doing This Halloween?

When it comes to Halloween there's no lack of variety... Read More

5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people... Read More

Legends of the Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling... Read More

Tips For Singles on Surviving (And Enjoying) The Holidays

Here you are, facing the holiday season alone. Have you... Read More

Marching Towards Mothers Day

"Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind."... Read More

Giving Thanks

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks... Read More

Valentines Day Love Letter - The Best And Most Romantic Gift Is Also The Least Expensive!

You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More

Bust Holiday Stress!

The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear... Read More

How to Put Some Sizzle in Your Summer Parties: 5 Ways to be a Gracious Host and a Great Guest

Now that the hot weather is finally here, we are... Read More

Keeping Christmas Spirit Alive: Christmas Just Isn?t The Same Without Santa Claus!

Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More

It?s Time to Start Thinking about Mothers Day

Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More

Planning a Spectacular Christmas Party

The holiday season is typically filled with large fancy parties,... Read More

Jeweled Shamrock Pendant

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition... Read More

How to Save Money at Christmas

Do you know how to save money at Christmas and... Read More

Traditional and Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people know that the 50th wedding anniversary is the... Read More

Strategies for Surviving Holiday Dinners, Family Events and Other War Zones

No matter how well we may have weathered our basic... Read More

Bathed in Blue - Love Can Happen for You

Whether you know him by Eros or Cupid, this son... Read More

The Origins of Mothers Day

Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More

Alone for the Holidays?

Being alone is a challenge for many people. This challenge... Read More

SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 2 of 2 Parts

First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist,... Read More

Wolves, Goats, Martyrs and War: a History of Valentines Day

Valentines Day is one of the most enigmatic of holidays,... Read More

Little Helpers in the Holiday Kitchen

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your... Read More

Tribute to Dad

Father's Day should not be the only day that we... Read More

The Only Way to Turn New Year Resolutions Into Reality!

So you ate, drank and spent too much over the... Read More

Use H-O-L-L-Y to Beat Christmas Cooking Stress

What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have... Read More

Valentines Day Flowers

Flowers & Valentine's Day go hand in hand. Your Valentine... Read More

A Valentines Day Story

Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22... Read More

Fun Halloween Party Themes and Ideas

Halloween is the day of the year that has the... Read More

How to Overcome the Overwhelm of the Holiday Season (And Reduce Holiday Stress)

The Holiday Season can be a wonderful time of year,... Read More

Honoring our Fathers

This weekend as we celebrate Father's Day, take an opportunity... Read More

Holiday Beauty Dos and Donts

Why is it that whenever you go to a holiday... Read More

Sweet 16th Birthday Party Ideas

Is there any party more delightful than sweet 16? If... Read More

Eggs-travagant Eggs

Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!You don't need... Read More