Let me begin by apologizing for my lack of posts. I have been extremely busy trying to juggle life. School, work, preparing for my internship, moving, the gym, family and friends are keeping me extremely busy. Like most everyone, my life is incredibly hectic and it seems the Holiday Season is just adding to it.
[A few side notes are: I will be moving in January to Tuskegee, Alabama to complete a 5 month internship at the Tuskegee Veteran's Hospital. I am beyond excited and ready to go NOW! Also, and update on my health, in regards to my Pituitary Adenoma, I am doing well. My medication is working well. I spoke with my doctor last week. He told me things are right on track and there are no concerns. Thank you all for your prayers. God is good!]
So now, let's get down to business [this makes me want to belt out a song from Mulan....which I may or may not have, but you'll never know].
Shopping, cooking, party planning, decorating your home, cookie making, gift wrapping, family time, finals.....AHHHH. No wonder there is so much stress during the holidays!! There is SO much to do in only a months time. A huge part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle entails one to keep their stress level under control. There are so many people, myself included, throughout the year trying to manage severe stress, anxiety and depression. The Holiday Season can be a trigger to each of these.
Here are just a few ways that may help you to manage some of your Holiday stress:
1. Just do a few things REALLY well.
Each year, people try to make their holiday season BIGGER and BETTER than the last year, and as a result the season has gone from "The Most Wonderful Time of Year" to "The Most STRESSFUL Time of Year." So this year instead of going above and beyond in shopping, cooking, gift wrapping, party planning, decorating, etcetera, why not just choose a few to focus on. If the most important thing to you is decorating your home.....JUST do those REALLY well and work on making the other things a little simpler.
[Side Note]: If cookie decorating for you and you family is a BIG deal [like it is with mine] buy pre-made dough instead of home-made. Because honestly, most people only care about cutting them out and icing them, anyways. :)
2. Obligation Parties
Christmas time is a time for all types of parties and festivities. If you have that one party that everyone attends, but you hate going, but feel obligated to go...just DON'T go. Christmas and the parties should be enjoyed NOT dreaded. Plus, I'm sure there will be more than one Christmas party to attend during the Holiday Season.
3. Exercise and Rest
Yes, you read that correctly...I wrote EXERCISE and rest. If you are dealing with stress, anxiety or depression, exercise and sleep are some of the best things for you. Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you feel AMAZING. It's true [you should try it].
So put down the cookies, the wrapping paper, the decorations and get your butts up and exercise and get yourself plenty of rest. Everything will be there when you get back or wake up.
4. Don't overspend
Christmas isn't about gifts [although they're nice to give and receive]. Christmas is about the ultimate gift, Jesus. Also, most people enjoy homemade or DIY gifts, so instead of going out and spending a fortune, why not try a sentimental gift?
5. Stick to your routine
Fit the holidays into YOUR routine and don't conform to its [with the exception of holiday parties, simply because they will have a set date]. Don't push you workouts, work schedule, date nights, family nights around because that can be overwhelming. Instead, try combining holidays and your routine. For instance, you can combine watching you favorite Thursday TV show with getting last minute Christmas wrapping complete. Or maybe, combine date night with Christmas shopping.
Finally, 6. Forget about perfection
Perfection does NOT occur, especially during the Holidays. Accept it. Trying to find the perfect gift, plan the perfect party, make the perfect meal, wrap the perfect gift will stress you out! Do the best you can and move on. Sometimes the mishaps turn into the best memories.
The important thing for us to remember is the true meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus. So when your stress and anxiety levels are high or your feeling a little down, remember that the gifts, the cooking, the parties, the decorations or the gift wrapping is not what makes Christmas "The Most Wonderful Time of Year", its Jesus, love, and joy.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. -Isaiah 9:6-7
