How to Keep Stress at Bay

As much as many of us love the holiday season, it can be anything but relaxing. All of the excitement has a way of sneaking in and zapping up all of your “me time.”

According to Dr. Rob Schneider, chief of behavioral medicine at the Braintree and Quincy practices of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Massachusetts, stress management activities often get dropped this time of year because people don’t have enough time for them.

Letting your stress management activities go couldn’t come at a worse time, according to Schneider.

“During this time of the year, we need these kinds of activities more than ever to help cope with everything else that is going on.”

The holidays can add stress for anyone, but the negative emotional effects are of particular concern to people being treated for diabetes. A study published in JAMA (June 2008) reported that people being treated for diabetes have a 54 percent increased risk for developing symptoms of depression.

When feeling the added stress of managing diabetes during the holidays, know that you are not alone. By taking some simple steps, you can enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.

Set Yourself Up for Success

The key to a happy holiday season is remembering that you need to be taken care of too. Finding a balance between meeting the demands of the season and not letting yourself get emotionally run-down will help you set yourself up for a less stressful holiday season.

Striking a balance can be a difficult challenge, especially for those who are in the habit of trying to do everything and be everything to everybody all season long.

One way to combat the urge to go-go-go this season is to schedule some “me time” every day and keep to it.

Another way to help live stress free this season is to understand where potential challenges exist and plan for them.

How To: Holiday Blues Busting

Blues Potential: Jam-Packed Social Calendar

Some people find the mere thought of a social event stressful, and others may love them—but the holidays’ upswing of gatherings can be exhausting for anyone.

Buster:

Plan to go late or leave early (or maybe even skip it entirely). RSVP-ing “no” can be difficult for some, but everyone can relate to being busy over the holidays, so the hosts will likely understand. Even though you’re not able to attend their party, let them know how much they mean to you by scheduling a get-together later on when you are not as busy.

Blues Potential: High Expectations

For some reason, the holidays are a time when many get caught in the trap of wanting everything to be perfect. This type of mentality can help set you up for a season filled with disappointment, because nothing will match your lofty standards.

Buster:

Talk back to self-pressure. Realizing upfront that the season will not be perfect will help you avoid causing yourself undo stress. You’ll also be able to better enjoy all the good things about the season. Instead of focusing on what is going wrong, try making a point to appreciate everything that is going right.

Blues Potential: Family Gatherings

With all of the family gatherings during the holidays, there’s the potential for old issues and arguments to be rehashed. Some members may not understand that you have to stick to certain eating behaviors, and others may cause frustration by always giving unsolicited advice.

Buster:

Decide to make an effort to not let your family bother you. Avoid rehashing old arguments if you can and try to brush off overzealous advice-givers. You can also try explaining that you appreciate their concern and work very closely with your healthcare team to ensure that your diabetes is in check. They should take the hint.

If you have more good strategies for thwarting winter stress, email us at mailto:editor@everydayeating.com

Tip: Take a Moment for Yourself from NESTLÉ® HOT COCOA No Sugar Added

Feeling stressed? Take a moment for yourself and slow down. The Mayo Clinic reports that relaxation techniques can reduce negative responses to stress and help you enjoy a better quality of life. Sometimes all you need to do to relax is sit down in a comfy chair with your favorite hot beverage. So grab a nice mug of hot cocoa, slow down and give your mind and body a break.