Christmas Eve

Hard to say what the next couple of days might look like. As children, the anticipation of a white Christmas thrilled us, but now as adults, the prospect is discouraging. If it snows tonight and tomorrow, my husband will have to work, plowing at the resort, and my dad and brothers will also have shoveling to do at the subdivision. So, there is that possibility that we won't spend much of the holiday together as a family. And that possibility brings Christmas blues. But as my mom wisely said, "you know, that's not even really what the Christmas season is about." We do get so snared up in our own desires for comfort and pleasure, that even if we did our share of "Christmas giving" we think we are entitled to a stress-free, enjoyable holiday. But plan B's are always out there, even on holidays. Being able to adjust to them well is a trait that minimizes our overall holiday stress.

While reading on Dr. Mercola's website today, I came across this article that included tips for a stress-free holiday. Being a holistic doctor, he encouraged people to keep exercising (as we often just sit around for three or four days and eat), get some vitamin D and omega-3 oil, and avoid excessive sugar and alcohol (depressants).

He also listed these wise tips:
*Be gentle on yourself, and give yourself permission to say “No”… It really is okay to take special time for yourself. If the holidays have you feeling down for whatever reason, indulge in the things that make you feel happy, whether they’re holiday related or not.
*Seek out people who make you feel better, and avoid people who add to your stress or contribute to your depression.
*Regain a sense of control by scheduling no more than one or two manageable goals per day, even if they’re as simple as writing a few cards, or cleaning a small section of a room. The satisfaction of completing these tasks can add to your sense of well-being, and help you get everything done, over a longer period of time.
*If a certain tradition causes more stress and discomfort than joy, give yourself permission to do things differently! Remind yourself that there is no right or wrong way to celebrate Christmas. Ban the word “should.”
*Focus on what you and your family want to do for the holidays instead of what other families are doing.
*Take advantage of online shopping instead of rushing through malls.
*If the thought of cooking Christmas dinner gives you a headache, arrange to have friends and family over to help you cook ahead of time, hold a potluck dinner, or make a reservation at a special restaurant instead.

You can check out the full article here.