Relax This Holiday Season: Tips for Coping with Seasonal Stress

Editor's Note: Dr. Michael Jorn, the author of this piece, is a psychologist with Healthcare Psychology Consultants, LLC, 4447 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood.   For more information on Shorewood’s Stop, Shop & Restore holiday event, visit www.shorewoodwi.com

The holiday season is a very special time as we look forward to parties, family get-togethers and time outdoors.

With all the parties, shopping and holiday planning, this time of the year can result in a mixture of fun and stress along with all of the excitement. Feeling overwhelmed at the holidays is common, but with a few guidelines you can make the season more enjoyable and less rushed and stressed.

Managing family gatherings 

Family gatherings can be potentially stressful for various reasons. Remember the No. 1 rule: You can't change others, but you can change yourself. Consider the following tips.

• Keep the focus on you. How do you want to behave this year?

• Think before attending a family gathering e.g., are there certain hot topics to avoid?

• Consider talking about differences at another, more appropriate time.

• Try to be grateful for what you can offer your family members this year.

 Avoid being an over achiever during the holidays

Consider the following tips.

• It does not have to be perfect.

• If it doesn't happen this year, maybe it can happen next year.

• Consider a reasonable, doable plan for yourself and try to stick with it.

• Learn to say no to yourself and others regarding planning and activities.

Create a realistic holiday budget

Have a budget in mind that fits your income. Don't set yourself up for credit-card shock come January. Love is never bought through gifts. Let gifts be thoughtful reflections of your understanding of that person.

Consider these other general tips as you move through the holiday season.

Breathe: Remember to breathe naturally. Sometimes we hold our breath or breathe too fast without being aware of it. Stop for a few minutes and check in with your breathing. The holiday season can be a very busy time with lots of running around and little time for oneself. What are you doing?

Bring awareness to your thoughts and feelings: Bring awareness to what you are feeling and thinking this holiday season. Sometimes we ignore thoughts and feelings that may lead to stress. What feelings are you ignoring?

Focus on your relationships and connections with others: Remember the holiday season is not only a time for giving gifts, but a time to reconnect with others, reestablish ties and renew friendships that are so important in our lives. Who would you like to call?

Be Grateful: Take a moment to be grateful and thankful for what you value in your life. It is too easy to focus on the negative during stressful times. What are you grateful for?

Exercise: If you are someone who likes to exercise, find a way to continue this during the holidays. If you are someone who typically does not exercise, consider getting out in the snow and find a way to enjoy the outdoors with a walk or some snow-related activity. Exercise is a great stress reducer.

Take time to relax: Try to fit in moments of relaxation to your hectic holiday schedule. One great option is to attend this Saturday’s Stop, Shop & Restore, a unique free holiday shopping event in Shorewood from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that incorporates stress-reducing relaxation stations including free massages, yoga classes, acupuncture, salon services and relaxing tea demos as well as wine tastings and holiday refreshments, holiday goodies, salon services, wine tasting, cooking demos and more, free trolley rides, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., courtesy of and the .