Creating A Joyful Holiday Season

by Paulette Avery RN, MSN, IBCLC

Does the thought of the approaching holidays fill you with joyful anticipation or a feeling of dread and despair? The answer depends a lot on your circumstances, but even more on your attitude. Cultivating a positive attitude, focusing on the good things instead of the bad, not only makes life more enjoyable, it is better for your health. This may be your favorite time of the year, or it may be the season that sends your stress level soaring as high as your credit-card bills. Here are some suggestions for making this season as joyful and stress-free as possible.

Begin by deciding what you want most from the coming weeks. If your goal is to do it all from finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list to being the perfect party hostess with a house decked out like the pages of Better Homes and Gardens you may need to stop for a reality check. Unless you are another Martha Stewart, you probably need to decide how much you can accomplish and still maintain your sanity. In other words, prioritize and set reasonable expectations for yourself. That might mean cutting back from what you've done in the past, but if doing a little less this year means you actually can relax and enjoy yourself, the change will be a good one.

Next, include a favorite activity or tradition as part of the season. Has your family attended the Nutcracker every year for the past ten years? If that is still something you all enjoy, go ahead and get your tickets. If not, maybe there is some other holiday event you've always wanted to attend, or maybe you'd prefer instead to give a party for your friends this year. You can sit down with your family, discuss the options, and make a decision.

Remember to take time to relax. If you're the one in charge of most of the holiday activities, give yourself some down time. Drink a cup of tea, listen to some favorite holiday music, or spend a few minutes meditating. Although you may feel taking the time will make it more difficult to complete all your tasks, more likely it will help you to do so. Too much stress has unpleasant and unhealthy effects, such as headaches, difficulty sleeping, and increased blood pressure. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and overworked, slow down and, if possible, ask for help from others to do what needs to be done.

Of course, circumstances may make a joyful holiday season much harder to achieve. For those who have recently lost a loved one, grief will be a normal response to going through the holidays without that special person. If that is true for you this year, only you can decide the best way to deal with your grief. For some, staying busy may help, while others might need more time alone. Be gentle with yourself, and do what feels best.

Finally, do what you can to maintain your good health habits. Exercise regularly, avoid over indulging in all the special holiday treats, and limit your alcohol intake. When the New Year arrives, you'll be happy that you did.

I wish each of you joy and peace, now and always.

Paulette Avery is a registered nurse and a freelance writer who specializes in health issues.