Holiday Stress Can RuinThe Merry Season

FARMINGTON — If you’re expecting a Norman Rockwell picture-perfect holiday, chances are it’s not going to happen, says Elizabeth Robinson, a therapist in the division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

“Look at your holiday expectations in a realistic manner. Otherwise you simply set yourself up for disappointment,” she said. “Learn from past experiences and try to avoid holiday situations that have historically turned out badly. Maybe it’s even time to start a new family tradition.”

As for the hectic pace that usually accompanies the holidays, Ms Robinson says, don’t let it get the best of you. “This can be a wonderful time of the year. But if you put too many demands on yourself, you’ll be looking forward to the end of the holiday season,” she said. “And that’s too bad, because there are simple things you can do to avoid holiday overload and mellow your mood.”

Here is some advice to keep your holidays merry:

•Sleep, eat a healthy diet, and       exercise regularly. These are                     the things that provide the                       power you need to keep                              going.

•If your gift list is out of con                      trol, and you’re spending too                   much time and energy look                       ing for the “right gift,” con                sider a gift certificate to a                         favorite store, restaurant or                      movie theater, or a donation                 to the recipient’s favorite                        charity. Shop on the Internet                   or order from catalogs. Many                companies will gift-wrap,              too. Take the time you save to      do something relaxing for             yourself.

•Recruit help. If you’re having       a party, say yes when guests                     offer to prepare a dish. If              they don’t offer, ask.

•When asked to bring some                       thing to a party, say yes.              Then buy it.

•Delegate! If possible, get              someone to share in the               chores, errands, gift-wrap                        ping, card writing, etc.

•Eat and drink in modera              tion. Overdoing it can be                         physically depleting and                may promote feelings of                      guilt.

•Gift giving is not about                money. Make every effort to                      stay within your budget,               even if that means cutting              down your list. Homemade                        foods and gifts are often               more meaningful than fancy                       store-bought items. Over             spending will only create big                      bills, anxiety and guilty feel                       ings.

•Just say no – to that one                         more party you don’t have                       time to attend; that one               more decoration you don’t                  have to hang; that one more                     dessert you don’t have to                        serve or eat, etc.

•If everyone around you is                         high-spirited and you’re not,                   don’t think that you are              alone. “For some of us mem               ories of past holiday seasons                     can be painful,” said Ms               Robinson. “Holiday blues are                         normal and temporary.                             Accept them but don’t                            indulge. Plan to be with                other people. Depression              feeds on isolation.”

“Above all,” said Ms Robinson, “don’t forget what the holidays are all about – sharing our love and faith with others.”