Blog Archive

We are heading into the holiday season. I doubt that I have to tell you about the stress that most families are going through. And stress in a parent translates to stress for children. So, the big question is how do we manage stress?

What are some of the sources of stress? Cooking, cleaning, and entertaining guests are just a few.  I always think of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as the holidays approach, and hope that our holidays are nothing like that.

So, the best thing to do is prepare yourself for these unusual times, because when you are in the middle of it all, it is unlikely that you will have time to regroup. The Mayo Clinic has some wonderful ways to prepare yourself and your family.

1. Acknowledge your feelings. Sadness and grief are normal reactions to the loss of a loved one. Take time to express your feelings.
2. Reach out. You have a number of sources you can contact. Family, friends, or specialists are available.
3. Be realistic. Nothing is perfect. Set some normal expectations and know that flexibility is key. It might be time to change some traditions while holding on to some others.
4. Set aside differences. In these times, some people tend to focus on the differences. Let's remember that we love (or at least like) the people we are with. Focus on what brings you together.
5. Stick to a budget. Food prices have skyrocketed, so maybe ask others to bring a portion of the meal, which also cuts down on preparation stress. And the gifts don't have to be the latest and greatest. You cannot buy happiness.
6. Plan ahead. Our family sends out texts that include sizes for clothing and what the kids are into. This is done by the beginning of October. So we keep the list on us and whenever we are out we look for a couple of items at a time, well before Black Friday. And we decide who is going to bring what for the feasts.
7. Learn to say no. You cannot be everywhere and everything to everyone. Pick and choose what you want to do or are able to do. And let everyone know. Saying no is perfectly okay.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits. We often say that we will start the diet after the holidays. Or that we will catch up on sleep in the new year.
   1. Healthy snacks can be substituted for some of the more tempting ones
   2. Don't overeat. Everything looks good, so just get a small bit of each item.
   3. Sleep is essential to good health.
9. Take a breather. Think of yourself and take time for you. There is enough chaos that you deserve to relax and do something you want to do.
10. Seek professional help if you need it.  If sadness or anxiety, lack of sleep, irritability or hopelessness last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Remember, you deserve to enjoy the holidays as much as anyone else. Talk to everyone and make the experience a group effort. Everyone will feel proud that they were a part of it all. And you might just have started a new family tradition!

- Ellen Glotzbach, MD