“6 Tips on How to Survive Holiday Stress”

During the holidays it’s pretty easy to get stressed out and have life become miserable. But here are a few simple ways to keep your stress level down and feel great… and really enjoy the holidays.

1 - Don’t Get Caught Up in the Hype of Commercialism. Instead, spend time with loved ones, call people, and make connections that need to be renewed. Help those who are in need during the holidays… there are lots of people who have nothing and could use a helping hand. In just about every community there’s a food bank or soup kitchen feeding thousands of people… give them a hand.

2 - Make Gifts Instead of Buying Them. It’s always nicer to make a gift of some kind instead of spending lots of money. If you can sew or knit then make something for your family. If you are a baker then family and friends would love some of your goodies. Or even to write a poem and frame it with an inexpensive frame and give it as gift… there are lots of simple gifts that can be made.

3 - Take Time for Yourself Daily. Of course, the kids want to go see Santa, and the house needs to be made festive. But it’s super important to spend time slowing down and reading a book, or just having a cup of herbal tea and watching the clouds go by. Just taking 20 to 30 minutes for yourself daily can make all the difference in the world.

4 - Celebrate the Significance of the Holidays. Right now, a lot of people have totally forgotten what the holidays are all about. Buying things and rushing here and there has taken over our view of the holidays. Spend time at church, temple, or your synagogue… making this a very spiritual time of the year which it’s supposed to be. Doing this can slow you down and heal your soul.

5 - Keep Up Your Daily Regiment of Spiritual Practice. The spiritual practice of prayer, meditation, chanting, yoga, singing, and more are so very important to keep us on the straight and narrow path of feeling good. And it also reminds us that there are more important things than making cookies or buying gifts.

6 - Stick to Your Daily Routine. This is vital because if we don’t eat right or we don’t exercise, when we go to bed too late, and stop doing all the things that we need to do to take care of ourselves we become stress. So stick to your daily routine and keep your inner peace. 

If you use all 6 of these tips your holidays will be much easier.

Many Blessings to Everyone!

Dr. Paul Haider