Christmas could be the most stressful time of the year!
November 24, 2002 | 12:00am
You feel the unmistakable and invigorating December chill in the air. Familiar melodies of lilting Christmas carols herald the holiday season. Bells ring, tinsel decorations sparkle, and festive lights shine with joyous colors and magical mirth that bring out both the expecting little child and the generous Santa in you. A barrage of confusing advertisements lures and dictates which products you should buy. And before you know it, you are caught in the hectic holiday swirl.
The Christmas season is the most anticipated event of the year yet it could also be the most stressful time of year. Not only is it physically demanding, emotionally draining and psychologically stressful, it is financially depleting! So instead of having a truly wonderful holiday vacation, we usually end up stressed, depressed, suppressed and oppressed.
We all know that too much stress of any kind is bad for your health. What can you do to avoid holiday burnout? Here are some ideas to help you make Christmastime less taxing and more meaningful.
Take it easy. The last quarter of the year usually brings in year-end blues. It is when you assess whether the year that is about to pass was successful or not for you. Go easy on the year-end blues. This will help you start the holiday season with a playful attitude and not take it all too seriously.
Get organized. Make a calendar of forthcoming events and prioritize them. Expect holiday traffic to be at its worst (as it always is every year!) and plan your activities to maximize your time and save on gas or transportation expenses. For those who want to get away from nosy and boring relatives, plan a trip to where you can have fun and peace of mind. Plan your activities. Even your wardrobe!
Be realistic. We all have expectations of the holiday season. It’s time to be truly sensible and realistic. If Santa (he could be you!) can’t get that sleek DVD player this year because of financial challenges, push over the purchase for next year. Christmas is more about family and friends. Decide on activities and purchases that will best benefit all.
Plan out a budget. Spread the Yuletide joy but stick to your budget. Especially during these rather bleak financial times, you need to be practical with your holiday spending. Window-shop first, check out the prices, and get the best value for your money. Don’t go overboard and give beyond your means. Tell kids why they are only getting this gift (especially if they’ve been naughty or did not do well in school) to make them strive better next year.
Shop early. The sooner you shop for gifts, the better for you. You can have the luxury of time in choosing your presents as well as avoid that stressful last minute frenzy. Then, you can take your sweet time to truly savor the joy and excitement of the season. Realize that there is more to gift-giving than mere shopping; you still have to wrap, tie ribbons and write clever dedications on your gifts!
Be savvy. Don’t fall into the commercial trap. Advertising says you have to have a new expensive wardrobe; tradition dictates that you’ve got to have ham, Holland Edam cheese (queso de bola), etc., for the midnight noche buena. Break free from age-old practices that have lost their novelty and luster! Be inventive. How about nouvelle Japanese cuisine for Christmas dinner with a peppering of kimchi? Your friends and family might love you for it.
Get help. If you must go through the tinsel amassed through the years to put up the holiday décor, make it a family affair. The kids will enjoy decorating the tree and hanging the lights. Don’t be a martyr trying to prepare the holiday fare alone. You may arrange a potluck Christmas dinner or give members of your family specific dishes to bring. Spread the responsibility so you don’t have to bear it alone.
Be calorie conscious. There will definitely be a proliferation of food and tempting treats during the holiday season. Don’t gorge on those calorific foods that will make you feel sorry later. Enjoy the merrymaking but keep your health and figure in mind. Take it easy on the sweets and fats. On the alcohol, too!
Don’t take Christ out of Christmas. We usually write "Xmas" for "Christmas." We are crossing Christ out of Christmas that way! Even in the midst of the season’s fury, we should not forget the true essence of Christmas – the spirit of the loving Christ Child who was born to save mankind. This season, be less commercial and more spiritual!
Deal with post-holiday depression. Most people always complain about needing another vacation to get over the exhaustion from a vacation. This holds true, too, with the Christmas break. Post-holiday depression and withdrawal normally follow the jovial and fast-paced celebrations.
Enjoy the carols, the displays, the shopping, the food, the starry-eyed expressions of children, and the loving company of your family and friends. But keep in mind that moderation is the key to truly bring out the best of the holidays!
I’d love to hear from you! E-mail deeperdoo r@yahoo.com (no attachments and chain letters, please!). Should you want to forward this article, be sure to mention the author Dero Pedero and acknowledge The Philippine STAR. The reprinting, recording or publishing of this article in any form including the Web requires copyright permission from the author.
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