Stress-Proof the Season
December 15, 2006

Do the holidays put you in panic mode? You’re not alone, according to a recent poll. Here’s how to conquer your biggest worries and put the “happy” back in your holidays!

Stress #1: Lack of Money
Some 61 percent of people in a survey by the American Psychological Association say that a cash shortage is their top source of holiday stress. Little wonder: Christmas and Hanukkah include (if not center around) gift-giving... and those gifts can add up.

Solution: To reduce the financial strain, try paying for presents with cash or debit cards rather than charging them. That way, you won’t spend money you don’t have. If you have to use plastic, turn to the cards with the lowest interest rates.

Holiday parties can get pricey, too. But festive entertaining doesn’t have to be elaborate, says Mary Jo Rulnick, author of The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Feeding Family and Friends: “Hosting a dessert party with sweet goodies, fresh fruit and coffee can be just as much fun as hosting a five-course dinner party — but way less costly.”

Stress #2: Gift-Giving Pressure
Choosing the “perfect” present can be nerve-racking, all right: 42 percent of folks say the pressures of gift-giving cause butterflies.

Solution: Ask friends and family for detailed wish lists — this takes the guesswork out of holiday shopping. Or buy gift cards from your loved ones’ favorite store and let them pick out their own perfect something after the holiday rush has subsided (and the sales have kicked in). If you’re crafty or a good cook, make gifts, suggests Carol Dunitz, Ph.D., author of Louder Than Thunder. After all, you won’t have to deal with the crowds or the pressure from commission-hungry salespeople. “Plus, something you make has far more value than an item purchased at a store,” says Dunitz.

Stress #3: Lack of Time
Come late November, the time crunch leaves 34 percent of people feeling stretched too thin.

Solution: Get the feeling there’s just not enough time in the day? Call in reinforcements. “Make cookie-baking, gift-wrapping and card-sending a family affair,” says Rulnick. “Starting an assembly line gets tasks accomplished faster.” Other time-savers include: Shopping early in the day, when crowds are lighter; using your lunch hour to pick up a few gifts; and fighting the urge to RSVP “yes” to every single holiday invitation

Stress #4: Family Gatherings
While many of us look forward to getting together with the whole gang, 24 percent of people find holiday gatherings tough to deal with.

Solution: To make things more bearable, avoid touchy topics, suggests Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., author of A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness. If you and Uncle Rudy don’t see eye to eye on politics, don’t bring up the war in Iraq. If he does, simply change the subject or walk away. Also, keep an eye on the clock. “Don’t spend too much time with someone you have a negative history with,” Hall advises. If you need an excuse, blame it on the overtired kids.

Stress #5: Fear of Falling off Diets
With nibbles everywhere, it’s no surprise that 19 percent of people fret about eating everything in sight during the holidays.

Solution: How can you have fun without going up a dress size? “Eat before you go to parties so you won’t be tempted to pig out,” suggests Rulnick. It’s also wise to increase your physical activity to offset the inevitable extra calories. “Take an extra lap around the mall before you start your holiday shopping,” advises Rulnick, “or enjoy an hour of sled-riding or snowman-building with the kids.” That way, you’re celebrating the season and getting fit at the same time. Everybody wins!