Family Related Stress

Holiday Planning Keeps Stress At Bay

No-one wants to hear news of tragic loss of life or financial hardship in the build up to the Christmas holidays, but there has been much of that type of reporting in the media of late. Those fortunate enough to be untouched by such events would do well to reflect on their situation and imagine what it must be like for others for whom the holidays bring not joy but pain. The extra pressure that holiday expectations place on people who are already emotionally overloaded can easily cause stress-related reactions such as anxiety attacks, withdrawal from friends and family or physical illnesses.

This often happens because the reality of daily life rarely matches the hype, but it is possible to minimise the damage that can be caused by putting in place a few simple strategies to manage the conflicting demands on time, money and goodwill. To help to cope with this time of year, counselling Brisbane may be necessary in order to get some coping strategies into place. The following guidelines are to help alleviate the stress and to put happiness back into your Christmas.
=> Work out a spending budget, do a shopping list and stick to it. The whole retail industry is geared to separating shoppers from their money, and impulse buying, especially on credit, will only delay the stress until the bill comes in.

=> Consciously choose which functions you can comfortably attend and say a polite “no thank you” to the others. Spreading yourself too thin can often lead to becoming burnt out to quick. Your health needs to be taken care of, especially at this time of year.

=> Recognise that not all family relationships are congenial, and if there are unresolved differences between family members, accept the situation and the people and don’t take on the pressure to be the peacemaker.

=> Realise that no-one can turn back time! Realizing that not all traditions can be upheld is important, especially our older family members whom these are important to.. Families grow and spread, and as new members enter the fold, they bring with them their own, equally charming traditions. Acknowledge that some people won’t get together until Boxing Day or New Year, and bend a little.

The decisions we make for christmas can make a huge difference to keeping our stress levels down. Only by choosing wisely can we maximise our enjoyment of this joyous occasion. By making a conscious decision to plan, being firm with demands from others, and approaching it all with a relaxed attitude, the stress will fade, and everyone will enjoy the vibe. If it is still too much, through sessions with a psychologist Brisbane people can develop stress relieving strategies for every situation.