Whether we are celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, most of us will be doing a lot more between now and the end of the year – more driving, more shopping, more parties, more giving, more eating, more decorating – and having more fun! But all these extras can be a tremendous source of stress and fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Use the following tips to help reduce stress this holiday season. o Set realistic expectations for family get-togethers. Conflicts and challenging personalities are not likely to disappear for the holidays. Enjoy the good times, but don’t be surprised if family bliss doesn’t appear on schedule. o Decide in advance how much you want to spend on gifts and stick to it. o Remember that the best gifts can’t be purchased – an uninterrupted hour playing together, a hug at the right moment, etc. o If you have a large family, consider drawing names so each person can focus on buying one special gift instead of many individual ones. o Shop early and at the non-peak times to avoid the crowds. Shopping by catalog or via the Internet can be relaxing alternatives. o If you take your children shopping, be sure they know your first and last name so you can be paged. Make sure children know to stay where they are and how to identify a store worker that can help. o Avoid over-scheduling. Feel free to say “no” to requests that could leave you or other family members feeling over-committed and tense. Pre-plan some “alone times” with your children or spouse, and mark them on your calendar now. If someone calls, you can let them know you already have a “date.” o When all else fails, try not to lose your sense of humor. Have a ready supply of stories and jokes that make you laugh. Use as needed!
