With holiday decorations already lining the store aisles, the thoughts of making Christmas memories begin early. While it is a great time of year for young and old, this season may include situations that create additional stress in our lives. A common cry can be heard from classrooms, cubicles and kitchens, “I’m stressed out!”

Stressful situations arise throughout our lives and we all know that how you deal with those circumstances determines the results you will achieve – either positive or negative.

The hustle and bustle of Christmas programs, extra baking, extra eating, family get-togethers, extra eating, office parties, shopping and more extra eating all contribute to physical, emotional and mental strain. Not to mention, relatives, maxed out credit cards, finding time to decorate the Christmas tree and who to send cards to (for those who still send cards).
Webster’s dictionary defines stress as a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation. Our body’s stress response involves more than fourteen hundred known physical and chemical reactions involving more than thirty different hormones and neurotransmitters.

Internalizing stress creates a steady drip of stress hormones into tissues of the body and brain. This is serious stuff. All of these stressors add up over time and can do more damage than an occasional negative event.
These are the major stress categories and several facets of these are affecting us every day.

MAJOR STRESS PRODUCERS

Divorce
Death of a family member
Prolonged illness
Poverty
Unhappiness in the workplace

DAILY LIFE STRESSORS

Traffic jams
Paying bills
Family tension
Noise
Crowds
Sleep disturbance
Isolation
Hunger
Danger

Is it mandatory or inevitable that just because we live in this day and age that we need to accept stress? No! Is it truly possible to live a stress free life? Yes!

Here are some proven solutions to combating, reducing, eliminating and preventing stress. Some may be familiar to you and some brand new. Some may even seem a little out of your box. However, I suggest trying some of them.
Exercise (you knew that!)
Get the right amount of sleep for you. Try to go to bed at the same time each night.
Eat well – avoid caffeine, white sugar, refined or processed foods, and fast foods. Try more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, chicken and fish.
Drink more water!
Reduce frustration factors – unrealistic expectations
Downsize the “too much” – too much debt, too much to do, too much clutter, too much rushing around.
Eliminate stress-producing speech – whining, complaining and criticizing. Have a lovingly honest friend tell you what you really talk about.
Increase the stress-relieving words – positive, affirming words and phrases.
Laugh! A good belly laugh can relieve an amazing amount of stress. Watch a good old comedy, reminisce with a friend or go to the playground and play. Play with your children or grandchildren.
There is really so much more valuable information than we have room for. My suggestion would be to dabble in a couple of these ideas this holiday season. Enjoy each day that you wake up! Eliminate some of the stress factors that you can and relieve any others by taking care of your body. Don’t forget to include a couple of good belly laughs!