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Holiday Stress Can Be Avoided

By Joel Hardy

11/25/2013

(KAIR)--The holiday season is in full swing, and many of us are busy planning family events, decorating, and setting out cards. However, all of the fun and festivities can come with a price as many people can succumb to the stress of the holiday season. Cindy Whitmer is the executive director of the All Faiths Counseling Center in Atchison, and she says that while stress can occur year round, the holidays tend to bring it out even more. We tend to set higher expectations for ourselves around the holidays, with some people putting a lot of pressure on themselves to host elaborate family dinners or buy everyone know a gift. She points out that even if we choose a simplistic way to sepnd the holidays, it still adds more onto our already busy lives, which can cause a fair bit of stress.

Whittmer also says that people can show some physical manifestations of holiday stress. They tend to not exercise, eat, or sleep as much, and this can make them more vulnerable to a variety of illnesses. Stress can also effect a person's mood, making them more moody or more likely to take their stress out on others.

There is some hope for those suffering from a bit of holiday stress. Whitmer says that it is perfectly fine to say no to some holiday events and obligations, choosing instead to stay home and take care of yourself and your family.

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