How To Make Sure That Holiday Stress Does Not Get To You

It Is Only A Couple Of Weeks Away From Christmas. How Is Your Holiday Stress?

“Are you ready for the holidays?” This is the question that you hear daily at the grocery store, the post office and as you meet your colleagues while at work. Some people ask because they want to feel like they aren’t the only ones struggling with holiday stress to get things done before the big day. Others ask, because they are concerned about us, as we may look haggard.

Some people ask “Are you ready for the holidays?”, just to gloat about how they had it all done in July. Beverly Beuermann-King Click to tweet

So if you are feeling alone and the holiday stress is getting to you…enjoy this little bit of perspective on Christmas:

When four of Santa’s elves got sick,

and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones,

Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit.

This stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer,

he found that three of them were about to give birth

and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where.

More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked,

and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys.

So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum.

When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hidden the liquor,

and there was nothing to drink.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider pot,

and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor.

He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritable Santa trudged to the door.

He opened the door,

and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said, very cheerfully, “Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn’t it a lovely day?

I have a beautiful tree for you.

Where would you like me to stick it?”

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Beverly’s Top Tips To Building Resiliency And Having A StressLess Holiday

Get back to basics and simplify. Are you spending all day cleaning up from the holiday feast – use paper plates.
Avoid ‘holiday perfectionism’. Thinking, saying, or planning for the best holiday ever can lead to certain disappointment.
Stop and be in the moment. Have you noticed the wondrous sights, sounds, and smells around you or have you been too caught up in the to-do’s to notice?
Acknowledge your feelings. Take into account the losses that you have experienced, but remember to keep your perspective and to talk positively to yourself about the past challenges that you have overcome.
Ask for help. Remember your ultimate goal for the holiday and get support and assistance from those around you.