Pre-Holiday Ramp-Up

As the holiday season approaches, kids get excited in anticipation of warm family gatherings, days off of school, and presents to open. Adults, on the other hand, have to manage the stress of hosting, shopping, cooking, and the many expenditures of time and money that come along with these celebrations. It’s a challenge to get this all done while also working, parenting, wrapping gifts, and entertaining. It would be easy to feel overwhelmed, but there are ways to protect yourself (physically and emotionally) from the stress that is part and parcel of end-of-year festivities. Here are some tips to stay sane during this magical season:

* TURN THAT CHORE INTO CHEER— There is a lot of cleaning, cooking, organizing, prepping, and re-cleaning involved in hosting a holiday get-together. Getting stuck in the kitchen cooking or doing dishes while everyone else is relaxing together and enjoying a movie could stir up some legitimate resentment. Remind your family that “many hands make light work” and that teamwork helps build bonds and trust that ultimately make everyone feel proud and happy. Ask for help for the house, not for you, since it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep that system functional. Phrasing the request as an opportunity for collaboration rather than an assignment will increase responsiveness. Adding music to the mix, or a timer to create a challenge may also incentivize participation. And even though it should be a team effort to host, making sure to give your helper elves a shout-out of gratitude will make it more likely that they’ll enlist in future tasks.

* HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND— Getting outside in nature is an important self-care activity, and the benefits are even greater if the activity is family-focused. And indoors, cleaning counts as cardio! Maintain a reasonable sleep schedule and try not to go overboard on candy or fudge or alcohol, as these foods stress our metabolism.

* CREATE MOMENTS OF CALM— Everything about the holiday season is harried. Congested traffic, crowded airports, bad weather, long lines at stores, steep credit card bills, sleepover guests, the list goes on and on… Be sure to carve out a few moments of your day to center yourself and focus on the good things in your life. Each frustration piles onto previous ones until our patience is spent. By purposely emphasizing the positives, we choose to take a perspective of gratitude. That goes a long way to warding off burnout.

* STAY HOME IF SICK— If you feel unwell, spare your friends and relatives a similar fate. It would feel terrible to know you were responsible for Grandma’s Flu symptoms or your baby cousin’s ER visit.

* NEW YEAR, NEW HABITS— Don’t get caught up in sweeping New Year’s Resolutions. Next month’s newsletter will have more on this, but you don’t need to re-invent yourself.

* BE THAT FRIEND— Frigid weather, short days, financial and family stressors, and unmet expectations all contribute to winter depression, which can be particularly serious around the holidays. Use the season as an excuse to reach out to someone who might be lonely or need to hear that they’re on someone’s mind.

While the holidays can be stressful, we have the ability to steer our attention and energy toward the positive aspects of the season. It takes practice but pays huge dividends.

Written by Dr. Carly Wilbur, UH Pediatrician and PSI Medical Director.