While the holiday season is a time for family gatherings, decadent food, gifts, and an endless cycle of parties and celebrations, it can also become a stressful time. People step outside of their normal routine in activities, diet, and financial commitments. That can cause stress, not just during the month of December, but into the new year as people deal with the aftermath of their celebrations. I encourage you to rethink your approach to the holidays so that you can better manage stress and stay healthy.
After working with patients for years, I’ve seen the physical toll that stress has on their body and their health, both mental and physical. When I'm treating patients this time of year, I regularly ask them, "What is your fondest Christmas memory?" Without fail, nearly all of them answer "time with friends and family." It's never a specific food or toy, it's always activities with people. Keeping that in mind, if I could prescribe a solution for holiday stress, this is what I would suggest:
Communication
Talk with your spouse or significant other about upcoming events and activities. Discuss plans ahead of time and share your expectations and needs of each other. Have a planned team approach. Let each other know if you’d like to leave early and how to approach that, or if you need assistance in meal preparations or gift purchases. Share the responsibility and support each other during the season.
Be Creative
The value of a gift isn’t in how much it costs. Remember that your gift-giving doesn’t have to be expensive. A handwritten love note, go for a walk, learn to dance in your living room, teach each other a new skill, share favorite recipes, cook a meal, and create a photo album. There is any number of ideas to share the holiday spirit without having to spend a lot of money.
Plan Ahead
Resist the temptation to do it all yourself. If you have guests coming for a meal or party, ask each person to bring a dish to contribute. Opt for a white elephant gift exchange so that each guest contributes a smaller item. If it fits your budget, hire a housekeeper or a caterer. It’s okay to ask for help and to share the responsibility.
Set Limits
Decide ahead of time what your limit will be on things like food, desserts, alcohol, and finances. Having a plan ahead of time helps prevent impulse decisions that may overextend necessary boundaries. Share this with your spouse or partner so they can help you stick to your plan. For events and activities, for example, it's okay to make an appearance and not have to be there the entire time.
Avoid Shopping Fatigue
Plan ahead and set reasonable limits. Remember that a gift is a gesture of friendship, so don't worry if it's not a perfect gift. Consider opting for a fun white elephant exchange rather than having to buy a gift for every person. If you will be on your feet a lot, shopping, cooking, or entertaining and your legs ache and hurt, wear compression stockings. They will help prevent leg pain and swelling, keeping you more comfortable during a busy season. To be effective, it’s best to put them on first thing in the morning and then take them off right before bed.
Treat Yourself
After all, it is the holiday season! Identify what the most important part of the celebration is for you. Give yourself a treat, and make it something that brings you joy and keeps you active and moving. Walk outside in the evening to see the holiday lights in your neighborhood, gather a group and go caroling, volunteer at a local charity, and participate in community events like parades, concerts, and theatre events. What aspect of the holiday rejuvenates you? Is it making cookies, trimming the tree, sitting by the fire, listening to Christmas music? Make sure that you build those activities into your schedule.
Drop Perfectionism
Let go of needing everything to be perfect. Embrace the imperfection of the season and learn to relax and go with the flow. Remember that everyone is trying and doing the best they can. The same grace you’d extend to another during the holidays, extend also to yourself. It's being with people that is most important and having a gesture of your care, not having the end-all-be-all gift of the century.
Part of what makes the holidays rich and memorable are the traditions. Revel in them! If you are a guest at someone else's celebration, share your traditions with them. Invite them to participate or just describe your own tradition to them. Especially if your traditions come from different cultures or backgrounds, they may enrich other's overall experience and meaning.
And with that, please accept my personal wishes for a beautiful and healthy Christmas.
