5 Holiday De-Stressers!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by Michelle Stafford, DDS

We don’t know about you, but the holidays can feel like a mixture of ups and downs, no matter how much we try to keep things exciting for our friends and family. Scored the perfect present for your little one? Up! Snapped at the salesperson after a long day of harrowing driving? Down. Found a long-lost family recipe to showcase at holiday dinner? Up! Realized every night of the week is jam-packed with events and to-do lists? Down.

Managing the roller coaster of emotions and circumstances can make even the most even-tempered parent have a nervous breakdown – so we offer 5 tips to manage the holiday stress as we count down!

*Keep expectations realistic. I know from experience that I picture a dining room and home to rival Martha Stewart’s magazine spreads, but is that realistic? Think about what is truly important about your family’s holiday traditions and what you can let go!

*Plan your time. This doesn’t just apply to planning the holiday menu and jockeying between oven, stovetop, microwave and day-ahead prep. Make sure that your time (and your kids’ time) isn’t over-booked. Many of us look back and remember fondly the time spent over a board game with popcorn and hot cocoa – not that we saw 10 concerts and attended 3 plays during the season.

*Stick to your budget! Don’t get carried away with what you can’t really afford during the holidays. Does Johnny really need that one-of-a-kind toy that is over budget by $100? Consider what you might have to give up in the coming months and what you may truly pay in interest charges for a moment of “keeping up with the Jones’”.

*Take “me” time. A stressed parent will not be able to truly focus on giving their children the memories of their lifetime. It’s important to keep up with daily movement (walks, hiking, a jog), time out at the end of the day or first thing in the morning, and making sure your own emotional “bucket” is full.

*Don’t eat and drink excessively. Stress can be magnified by over-indulging, so be sure to use small plate sizes to manage your portions, limit your sweet intake as much as possible, and stick to one or two drinks during the holiday parties.

Source: www.missourifamilies.org and December 2011 HOPE Health Letter, Vol 31, No 12

Tags: What makes World of Smiles Unique?

Written by Michelle Stafford, DDS