Holiday Stress Relievers for Big and Little People
2006-12-11

The holiday season is upon us. It is a time for family get togethers, decorating, shopping, gift wrapping, baking, and attending special activities. Holidays are supposed to be a time of enjoyment and happiness, but instead you and your family may feel stressed because of the extra demands placed upon already busy schedules.

Relieving some of the stress during the holidays can best be accomplished by getting the whole family involved in tackling holiday tasks and activities. The following ideas can help you and your family work together to reduce holiday stress.

1. Sit down as a family and come up with a list of all the things that need
   to be done during the holidays (shopping, card signing, cleaning, etc.). Delegate
   or let family members volunteer to help.


2. Make up a December calendar. Include dates and times of all activities
   to be attended, and a schedule of when tasks such as cleaning, baking, and
   shopping need to be done.


3. Take a look at your family’s holiday activities. Are there things
   that you do each year but really do not enjoy? If so, consider not doing the
   activity any longer or doing it in a different way.


4. Plan easy meals. Double batch your favorite casseroles and put in the freezer
   for a quick meal on a busy day.


5. Take a few minutes each day for yourself and do something relaxing.


6. Keep eating and sleep routines as close to normal as possible to prevent
   children from becoming cranky or overtired.


7. Expect young children to misbehave occasionally. Remember they have short
   attention spans and tire easily.


8. Make time for family fun! Plan fun activities together such as baking cookies,
   trimming the tree, caroling, or taking a drive to see the local light displays.