Holiday Feelings: Are They Merry or Stressful?

@2011panc Just be true to yourself. My husband died on Dec 22so I cant wait for Dec to be over but I know how its important for other people so I dont do anything on Christmas. My niece in Ga is a ballerina and was lead in the nutcracker so I will watch the dvd of her.

Hello~

Mayo has an article on Mindfulness and Self Care during the holidays which I think you will all find helpful:

Mayo Mindfulness: Slow down for self-care during the holidays

"There are all kinds of stress and anxieties during the holidays. Strained relationships, unrealistic expectations, financial difficulties — the list can go on.

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well. But multiple challenges can push you beyond your ability to cope, especially during the holidays.

Dr. Beth Rush, a Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist, says that when you are stressed, it becomes that much more important to take care of yourself. Sleep, eat well, make sure you’re exercising. Look for signs of stress in your life.

"I think self-care is important year-round. If you’re feeling frustrated, short on time, impatient, you have to go back to the basics of: 'Have I done anything for myself today? Should I take a minute? Do I have to be the one who does it all?,'" says Dr. Rush. “We tend to think of self-care as always going out and doing something like getting our nails done or going to the gym, but sometimes self-care is about just pausing. I think that’s something we recognize is becoming more important: learning how to slow down.”

Dr. Rush says self-care can be as simple as being still at your desk, breathing, shutting your eyes, and closing out all the other things you’re thinking about and not responding.

Watch Dr. Rush talks about slowing down for self-care during the holidays.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites with Dr. Rush are in the downloads at the end of the post. Please ‘Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.’

Try these five strategies when you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained.

Move. Physical activity can relieve stress. Movement releases feel-good endorphins into the blood stream, which can improve your mood. Whether it’s going for a light jog or taking the stairs a few times during the day, the key is to get moving.
Breathe. Just three minutes of deep breathing can turn stress into a feeling of tranquility. Not to mention, deep breathing brings oxygen to energy-building muscles, making all of your cells happy.
Be positive. Long lines at the store or traffic jams can put anyone in a bad mood. Instead of getting grouchy, try this simple exercise: Replace any negative thought with three positive thoughts. Research shows that this can lead to an increased life span, immunity against illnesses, and physical and psychological well-being.
Laugh. Laughter causes physical changes in the body that promote health. Watch a funny movie or TV show with your family,and feel the stress dissipate with each chuckle.
Express gratitude. Being grateful doesn’t mean denying what is going on in your life, but rather focusing on all of the good that surrounds you. It’s refreshing to count your blessings as opposed to being negative."

After reading these I have decided that I need to breathe more when I'm feeling stressed and laugh more (sitcoms work for me).

What would you like to do to relieve stress during this holiday season?

Great idea, @lioness~ I love the Nutcracker and knowing one of the performers makes it that much more special.

@hopeful33250 Yes it does My brother sent it to me

@lioness Thanks for your honesty. I would feel the same way. That is so nice that your niece dances and I admire people who have that capability. You must be very proud of her. I recently went to a very small production of the nutcracker and I talked to the director afterward and she let me come into a rehearsal and take pictures. I'm interested in doing some artwork of dancers. I wanted to take ballet class when I was little and my mom didn't let me. I love the artistry of it and the beauty of the human form in motion.

@lioness We are here for you. This time of year by its nature already has stressors, so that adds in a big way.
@jenniferhunter My dad would sometimes bring home single men, or family men traveling on business, from his job. Sometimes he had let my mother know with little notice. We found out later that as a young man they moved around a lot, and due to an ill mother, he rarely had a good home-cooked meal. He was determined to not have that happen to others.
Ginger

@gingerw Thank you Ginger

@jenniferhunter Heres her picture the dress is Evita ,other is her in her tutu

@colleenyoung Thanks her daughter only 2 1\2 is learning she was on stage with Carlee

@lioness Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this! I also wanted to say that I'm glad you're here and sharing the joy in your life. God bless.