From our December 21, 2000, edition.

Guidelines can lessen the stress of holidays

By Valerie Avery

BIG SPRING – Social obligations, activities, and daily chores can sap the strength many people need to make the marathon stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The compulsion to fill those four-plus weeks with events that we believe will recreate a Christmas of our past creates unnecessary stress.  Stress steals necessary resources we need to replenish our soul during this month-long journey and can trigger depression – a more serious illness.

But following a few guidelines, according to Gail Zilai, a licensed therapist and Big Spring State Hospital Director of the Activities Therapy Department, can alleviate the deafening emotions which accompany the holidays.

• Busy schedules don’t allow for adequate downtime. Remember to get the rest necessary to maintain the energy needed for shopping, cooking, traveling, and entertaining.

• Don’t sabotage your diet of healthy and nutritious foods. Rich, sugary food add pounds and play havoc with your digestive system.  In addition, the guilt of overeating fuels depression.  If you plan on attending a party, think ahead of time how you will handle the buffet line.

• Be aware that holidays trigger memories of enjoyable or traumatic times in your life.  These memories may make you feel lonely.  If you have no way of counteracting these memories; be aware that they are natural feelings, so if and when they occur, you won’t be caught off guard.

• Don’t overextend finances to fulfill everyone’s Christmas wish list.  Set a budget, and stick to it.  Involve your family in making homemade gifts and decorations this year.

• Avoid hosting a large get-together.  The party can be a heavy burden in addition to an already loaded schedule.  If a celebration can’t be avoided, enlist some help or plan a potluck supper.  Don’t be a martyr and carry the burden yourself.

• Accommodating visiting relatives or friends can be a real back-breaker when you’re already stressed.  Be up-front with houseguests about what you need to help your household run efficiently.

• Planning long-distance trips to visit friends or relatives may be difficult, especially for parents of young children.  Take along books, puzzles, and games to keep them entertained.  Try to be organized, and remember that it is better to get somewhere late than not to get there at all.

• When times become tense, play a CD or tape to lighten the mood. Sing out loud, sway to the music, and release some of that pent-up tension. 

The holiday will arrive and depart; how you handle this special time will make a difference in whether you enjoy yourself or make you and your loved ones miserable.