ColumbiaCare

Worrying about holiday shopping and cooking and decorating? Stressing that your pocket is running low? Worried what your in-laws might think if you don’t do everything just right? Take a deep breath.

Click here to read an article from medicalnewstoday.com about managing stress during the holidays.

The article gives several tips to get you through the holidays and keeping your stress level low.

• Delegate your duties. Assign jobs to family members and get everyone involved with trimming the tree and icing the cookies.
• Stay on a budget. Don’t get stuck with miles of debt for 2008, stick to a budget in the beginning. Worrying feeds stress, and if you manage your money wisely during the holiday season then you just might save yourself a few months of worry and stress.
• Do something for yourself. Take a break, take a breath, and relax. Make sure you save time for yourself during the hustle and bustle of the season.  Not only will your stress level go down, your happiness will rise.

Stress can take a toll on everyone around you. According to the Federal Occupational Health Web site, the symptoms of stress are important to look for. 

• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability or moodiness
• Decreased satisfaction with tasks
• Persistent feeling of urgency
• Clammy and sweaty hands
• Cold hands and feet
• Tension headaches, backaches, stomachaches or other physical discomfort

The Web site includes more ways to manage stress and resources on how to get help. Stress should be taken seriously, especially during the holidays. Be careful and enjoy the festivities, but remember to take time for yourself.