The Stress Institute » Holiday

As Holiday Season Draws to a Close, Stress Remains a Factor

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:24:09 +0000

As Holiday Season Draws to a Close, Stress Remains a Factor

(PRWEB) December 22, 2011

The holidays are typically a time of joy and celebration, but they also come with challenges and frustrations. Financial burdens, job stress and family pressures create feelings of helplessness and frustration that can become overwhelming. Anti-anxiety drugs often carry harmful or even dangerous side effects making their use a poor solution and could lead to additional problems. Natural anxiety medication may be less harmful but often don’t bring the much needed relief.

Seredyn is different. By combining the properties of traditional natural remedies proven effective in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, Seredyn provides an anxiety medication to people wishing to have the best of both natural and medical science. Seredyn uses natural herbs for anxiety relief specifically selected for their safe efficacy, such as l-theanie, which increases the activity of the neurotransmitter called GABA. Seredyn also helps the brain to calm itself instead of forcing a chemical into it that masks the symptoms like many anxiety medications.

Seredyn’s ingredients are designed to work with your brain and to help it release its own natural compounds to relieve stress, and lower your body’s tension and anxiety. It has few if any side effects and your mind finds peace. Natural remedies for anxiety like Valerian extract have been used for hundreds of years as an anti-anxiety medication. This particular extract has been clinically tested and has shown to relieve anxiety related insomnia by interacting with another neurotransmitter named Adenosine. Adenosine acts as a chemical messenger to tell the brain to regulate arousal and lower overstimulation. Through the use of this natural ingredient Seredyn is able to help the body activate its own calming mechanism.

A third natural extract found in Seredyn is Passion Flower. Again Seredyn uses natural herbs for anxiety relief that has centuries of use with positive results. Passion Flower, when combined in a special formulation with our other ingredients have been shown to decrease negative, anxiety related symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol, opiates, and certain anti-anxiety prescription drugs. The inclusion of this herb within Seredyn’s proprietary blend has made a difference in people trying to diminish their dependence on alcohol and anti-anxiety drugs.

Seredyn manufacturing facility adheres to stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) guidelines to ensure that the blending and manufacturing process maintains its consistency of purity and potency. When taken as directed, these ingredients have been proven to be safe and effective in helping those suffering from everyday stresses through the use of natural remedies for anxiety. While many anti-anxiety drugs can cause side effects, have negative stigmas associated with them and can be habit forming, Seredyn’s use of herbs for anxiety and the all-natural supplement’s holistic approach to reducing the anxiety related symptoms makes it the preferred natural method for relief.

Learn more about how Seredyn’s natural remedies for anxiety can help you overcome your stress, reduce dependence on alcohol and bring more than just peace of mind. Seredyn helps you get your life back. Go to Seredyn’s website for more information, ingredient list and to find out all the benefits of Seredyn.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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Holiday Loneliness May Intensify Love and Sex Addictions Warns The Ranch Rehabilitation Center

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:20:27 +0000

Holiday Loneliness May Intensify Love and Sex Addictions Warns The Ranch Rehabilitation Center

Nunnelly, TN (PRWEB) December 20, 2011

For many people, the holidays are the highlight of the year. But for others, this time of year brings up emotions that can be difficult to manage. Faced with the feelings of loneliness and disappointment that sometimes accompany the holidays, men and women with love and sex addictions may feel more compelled to escape or act out, warn the sex addiction specialists at The Ranch rehabilitation center in Tennessee.

Holiday movies and songs depict the holidays as a time for being surrounded by loved ones. Individuals with sex and love addictions may feel a particularly strong longing to be connected with others or to be in a relationship, not necessarily for love but to avoid being alone. Romanticized visions of a kiss to ring in the New Year or receiving the perfect holiday gift from a love interest – which often are not played out in reality – can prompt reckless and harmful behaviors in those with sex and love addictions.

“The holidays can bring up unforeseen emotions that leave people feeling ‘less than,” said Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S, the internationally known author, addiction specialist and educator who developed the men’s and women’s relationship and sex addiction programs at The Ranch. “As a result, those with addictions or emotional challenges may seek out a person or experience that makes them feel special, important and valued.”

As the holidays approach, people look forward to the break from routine and the time off school or work to finish projects and visit friends and family. But for addicts, unstructured time, particularly when spent alone, can be a trigger of its own. Rather than using the extra time constructively, sex and love addicts may become increasingly anxious. In a misguided effort to get their emotional needs met, they may begin fantasizing about and executing plans to fill their down time with anonymous hook-ups, affairs, serial dating and other harmful behaviors.

“Around this time of year, some sex and love addicts are faced with a dangerous combination of an urge to escape and more opportunities to engage in risky behaviors,” Weiss explained. “Heightened emotions, family dynamics and other factors make it a stressful time, which can be further complicated by an increase in unstructured free time.”

In addition to being a season for giving, the holidays are a season for receiving. Diets, budgets and rules get set aside just long enough to indulge in decadent treats, gift-buying and holiday parties.

“Normal reality is suspended during the holidays,” said Weiss. “While most people use this time to indulge on food, spending and parties, sex and love addicts may feel entitled to indulge in a different way – one that includes compulsive sexual experiences, affairs, online hookups and other risky behaviors.”

In many ways, the holidays are the best time to get help for sex and love addiction. Rather than allowing loneliness, isolation and disappointment to prevail, which can escalate unhealthy behaviors, treatment grants a reprieve from holiday stresses so that sex and love addicts can focus on getting well.

“We know the holidays are a time when addictive and compulsive behaviors escalate. When reflecting on the past year, many people realize that they have wanted and needed to get help for some time,” said Weiss. “There is no better time to begin sex or love addiction treatment and no better gift than to be in a safe place receiving help and support.”

About The Ranch

Since 1997, The Ranch has provided comprehensive therapeutic programs that treat the underlying causes of eating disorders, addictions and other self-defeating behaviors. The Ranch offers innovative therapies to address the multidimensional aspects of the whole person while teaching personal accountability in a safe, nurturing, real-life environment. Located on a working horse ranch in the beautiful rolling hills of Nunnelly, Tennessee, The Ranch offers programs with a variable length of stay, which allows each client to anchor new recovery behaviors needed for lasting change. For more information about The Ranch, visit http://www.recoveryranch.com or call (866) 381-8447.

The Ranch is part of Elements Behavioral Health, a family of behavioral health care programs that includes Promises Treatment Centers, the Sexual Recovery Institute and The Recovery Place. Elements offers comprehensive, innovative treatment for substance abuse, sexual addiction, trauma, eating disorders and other mental health disorders. We are committed to delivering clinically sophisticated treatment that promotes permanent lifestyle change, not only for the patient but for the entire family system. For more information about Elements Behavioral Health, visit http://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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The Madison Spreads Holiday Cheer With Two Washington, DC Christmas Getaway Packages

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:15:31 +0000

The Madison Spreads Holiday Cheer With Two Washington, DC Christmas Getaway Packages

Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 29, 2011

Make your spirits bright this holiday season with the Madison’s 2011 Washington, DC Christmas Getaway Package. Whether you are visiting Washington, DC or simply coming home for Christmas, let the Madison take the stress out of the holiday season. From the fresh cut Evergreen tree to ice skating at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, the Madison brings out the magic of Christmas. This year’s Christmas Vacation Package includes:

    Two nights in a Madison suite which accommodates up to four people
    Fresh cut Evergreen tree delivered to your room prior to arrival with an assortment of Christmas ornaments
    Champagne upon arrival
    A Four-course Christmas dinner for four people with local Virginia wine pairings prepared by our Executive Chef in the privacy of your suite or should you care to share with your family, The Madison will prepare the meal to-go for you to bring to the family gathering
    A Monument’s at Night Tour with hot chocolate in a private sedan
    Daily breakfast at PostScript for up to four people
    Gingerbread decorating with our Executive Chef
    Complimentary Overnight Valet Parking
    Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden
    Guaranteed Late Check-Out (4:00 pm)

The Madison is also offering some extras for those in the spirit of giving this holiday season. If a guest books a room at the Madison and donates a new set of children’s hat, gloves and scarf, as a thank you, we will take 10% off your stay. In addition, the Madison will provide extra shopping discounts to local retailers and a special turn down amenity. The collection of hats, gloves and scarves will be donated to Martha’s Table, a local charity that supports the needs at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in our community by providing educational programs, food, clothing, and enrichment opportunities. When making reservations, please use the booking code DONATE at time of booking your Washington, DC Christmas getaway. This special discount is not combinable with any other offer.

Guests will enjoy The Madison’s convenient downtown Washington, DC location close to the Metro Rail system, the White House and the Ellipse where the National Christmas Tree is located. Embassy Row, the Verizon Center and the Smithsonian museums are just a short Metro ride away. The Madison also offers complimentary maps and official visitor guides to the city through the concierge desk.

The Madison’s special Christmas Vacation Package is priced at $ 1,700 and is subject to availability. Taxes and gratuity are not included. Please use promotional code HOLIDAY at time of booking. This Washington, DC Christmas getaway package is available for two consecutive nights between December 23 and 27, has limited availability and some restrictions may apply. For reservations, please call (202) 457-5841 or (800) 424-8577 and for more information, visit http://www.madisonhoteldc.com.

About The Madison: Situated in the heart of Washington, DC, The Madison has 353 exquisitely appointed guestrooms including 13 suites designed to provide the utmost elegance and privacy to our guests. The Madison also features PostScript – lobby restaurant serving breakfast until 11:00 am, 24-hour fitness facility, in-room spa services, 24-hour business center, valet parking, in-room dining, and 12,500 square feet of flexible meeting space. For more information, please visit http://www.madisonhoteldc.com. Adjacent to The Madison is the Federalist, open for lunch and dinner, serving early American cuisine with French influence. For more information, please visit http://www.thefederalistdc.com.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts

Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With more than 35 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 8,450 guest rooms, 15 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.

For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit http://www.destinationhotels.com.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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Stuck In A Work Stress Spiral? Free Your Worries With A Spa Holiday

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:03:28 +0000

Remaining in a mod? Of the workload without stress relief can lead? ing bad? and a decline in quality? life. South Africa Mount Grace Spa is a resort mod? The bottom? a combination of facilities revitalization conf? World Class Conference and the pinnacle of a video game? tent and relax. Signs of Stress

Life can sometimes slip into a orni? Re working, eating, sleeping – r? P? Ter. month Days, weeks and Evens and spend that kind of work and no play there first? take its toll on the body and mind. An accumulation of stress can manifest itself in several F? Ons, including the sch? Mas? Motional From? pr? constant occupation and lack of concentration? Anxi? t? ? ? oversight body irritabilityThe? also find ways to communicate the accumulation of stress by symptom? I like:? ? Sore t? You in rear? Re, neck and? Shoulder tension? decreased immunity? colds and flu? chronic stomach pain? difficulties? ? sleep. Three practices to relieve stress in your life

The solution to break a mod? The stress accumulated? is cr? first one? balance in your life. Here are some simple ways to find one? Balance between work and play. 1. Heal your body. You can ask as much of your body before need to start? give back. The th? Rapies of deep relaxation that Mt Thanks Spa offers such as hydrotherapy massage? Therapy, body wraps and skin care are stupid? Lib for us? Rer tensions and promote the organization. 2. Use your work for you. If you feel that your work is being ex? Execution of your life, it can be brought time to make some changes. This could? Be any hire an assistant for all? Ger bifurcation load for your d? Laugh your own business. Do not be afraid of? Evaluate your work situation and ask yourself if it brings the quality? life that you m? dost. 3. Enjoy. If you have worked? without interruption, then it is time to r? compensate! R? Use a long weekend or an s? Days a week completely? You spa. Mount Grace Spa, located? ? only one hour outside the international platform, Johannesburg in South Africa offers?? s glove and a spa around? gardens and mountain views. Guests of Mount Grace Spa online community enjoys a total relaxation and the exp? Experience r? G? N? Ration con? Ues sp? Cially for r? Lay? their symptom? my personal stress. Each spa package begins with a skin depth? consultation body in which a specialist equipment will work with you to customize a treatment plan. Combining work and? Tent

An unflinching exploration of shape? Balance between work and the d? Tent is nich? in the mountains of South Africa Magaliesburg. Here, Mount Grace Spa? State inventory of machines Accessories work in the most modern of? Horn beauty? while offering natural treatments sant?, of activity? s such as display birds, p? che and tennis as well as side dishes? delicious for cr? first marriages rarely work and play. Breaking the cycle of grinding work without rel? Is a che? Milestone in the d? Covered with a life free of stress and m? Contentment. This life has not come without the wealth and success? S.

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How the Gift of Connection Can Help Baby Boomers Reduce Holiday Stress

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:39:45 +0000

In your dreams of vacation do you envision universal goals such as conservation of resources of our planet and its energy independence – or less stress? For many baby boomers, this time of year tends to be exhausting rather than inspiring. Stress is the body’s response to a stimulus, external or internal, which is seen as proof of personal resources. Is a gift to give your source of stress, as you locate the perfect tie or worry that a better BlackBerry will be available next week? Food becomes your comfort and a challenge as you eat cookie dough instead of cook? Will you be focusing on the buffet table, rather than chatting to the annual festival of office? You may create more stress by sticking to the old routine and operating on autopilot. Beware of symptoms of stress. They can occur at any time, in multiple forms and varied. For example, they may be: physiological headache – stomach Emotional – feeling angry, overwhelmed Behavior – overeating, physical removal Cognitive – difficulty concentrating, memory loss Of course, you do not want to feel anxious and restless, especially during this season. We know that your goal is to maintain balance in your life and still honor the complexity of Christmas / Hanukah / Kwanzaa. Think about what the holiday is most important to you. Think about what you want to do is not what you have to do. Begin to lay the foundations for a gradual change in your ritual gifts. Use the eight tips to help you keep your stress levels in check, as you focus on fewer things and more joy 1. Give the gift of reconnection. Send a card and catch up with an old friend or family member with whom you have lost contact. 2. Investing time instead of money. Take your elderly neighbor to the doctor’s appointment or the grocery store. 3. Give the gift of yourself. Organize a regular meal or the date of the museum with your parents or take them to the cinema. 4. Get your friends to invite them to a potluck dinner and to further reduce the expenditure by limiting your gift exchange. 5. Add a personal touch and express yourself creatively by a little of your own presents. 6. Focusing on others – volunteers at the soup kitchen, taking gifts to a homeless shelter, or donate to a battered women’s center. 7. Give a gift for you. Go with your spouse for the weekend or take your grandchildren to the zoo. 8. Enjoy the peace of mind by paying your debts instead of inviting the family to exit expensive. Look through the eyes of your children and decide together how to spend the day. Your family will understand and pass the experience. Let go of the idea of the perfect holiday. It may not look like a Norman Rockwell painting, but these small changes may represent the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Take heart as you embrace and celebrate this moment. Use it as a model for the future. And joy to you and yours as you journey towards greater connection. (C) The center of Mentor, 2006

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5 Easy, On-the-go Holiday Stress Relief Tips

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:22:59 +0000

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Andy Williams must have had someone doing all his shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping and social commitments for him. Our patience can run pretty thin during this crazy time of the year.
It is sometimes hard to find the joy of the season. As you are going about your holiday preparations, try these five easy, on-the-go stress relief tips. They are as easy as using your five senses.
1. Experience holiday music. Really experience it. As you are doing your holiday shopping, listen to the music playing in the mall, shops and markets. Hopefully, it won’t be “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. ” Music can be one of the best stress relievers. How can one not be soothed by the voices of Nat King Cole or Bing Crosby? Music can also conjure up the Christmas joys that were more prevalent when we were children. And better yet, sing along to the songs that you know. It doesn’t matter if you know all the words. You can always hum instead.
2. Enjoy the beauty of holiday decorations. Lights, trees, ornaments, wreaths and even the giant blow-up Santa Clauses on suburban lawns are all the visual treats of the holidays. When someone decorates their house or business for the holidays, it is a gift for all visitors and passersby to enjoy. So, do enjoy. Let the sparkling lights, dazzling ornaments, festive trees and blow-up Santa Clauses bring a smile to your face.
3. Feel the warmth of physical contact. People are naturally more affectionate during the holidays. We get holiday hugs from friends, family and coworkers. Hand shakes and good wishes are exchanged by everyone. Even for foes, the holidays bring out commonality as opposed to differences, embraces instead of bitterness. We get a handshake and a smile from our boss when all year we are ignored. Instead of being resentful about it, appreciate it. Thinking and expressing good cheer towards others will decrease your stress level tremendously. So, the next time you are at the market, put your arm around the bagger and wish him or he happy holidays.
4. Take in soothing aromas. The scents of the holidays are all around us. We cannot escape the pine fragrance of Christmas trees or the spicy smell of gingerbread cookies this time of year. Bayberry or cinnamon candles are other scents of the season. Researchers have found that certain aromas trigger our memories to surface. Perhaps the smell of fresh baked cookies reminds you of a pleasant childhood memory. Breathe in (deeply) those scents and let them take you away to your happy memories.
5. Taste the gift of seasonal delicacies. This stress relief tip is perhaps the easiest to use. There is no doubt that a huge part of the holidays is enjoying food. Yes, we will gain a few pounds. But, can you think of the holidays without getting together with family, friends, coworkers and feasting on holiday goodies? Many shops, businesses and your workplace are usually filled with treats to grab while going about your tasks. You may also receive a gift of food whether it be sweets, nuts or a bottle of wine from a friend or coworker. Savor the flavors and let them fill you with gratitude. Be grateful that you have more than enough food to enjoy and friends and family who care about you.
These holiday stress relief tips are all based on being mindful of the beauty of the season. You don’t have to do or have anything special to use them. You do have to slow down, be present and change your perspective. Use your mind and senses to destress and find joy. The holiday season will be over quickly, take advantage of the radiance and good cheer all around you.

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All Inclusive Holidays = Stress-free Holiday

admin — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 05:09:05 +0000

For a real break from the stresses of life at home and work, give you and your family a fun-filled holiday by booking all inclusive. With virtually everything paid for up front it’s up to you to enjoy yourself to the full!

The beauty of all inclusive holidays is that the only thing you have to worry about is having the best time you possible can! You can relax and enjoy yourselves without having to worry about the final bill.

There are plenty of all inclusive holidays available in many of the best resorts around the world, at prices to suit all budgets. It’s not just five and four star hotels, but cheap holiday destinations as well, that can make an all inclusive holiday bargain. These are a perfect way to take the family on holiday and not worry about how much you’re all spending!

As far as food is concerned your breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in all inclusive holidays. Some hotels even include daytime snacks and afternoon tea. Meals include a variety of international and local dishes and are usually in a buffet-style.

We all like a drink on holiday and, although no one would recommend drinking to excess, all inclusive holidays give you unlimited house wine, draught beer, local spirits and soft drinks all day and night. You should note that international beer and spirits are not usually included.

It may be tempting to eat too much, but you can ease your conscience by taking part in a range of sporting activities on many all inclusive holidays. You may be an old-hand or a novice but you can try tennis, volleyball and possibly water sports such as sailing, windsurfing or diving. Some activities may need a small payment for equipment hire.

Part of the fun experience of the best holidays is the entertainment. On an all inclusive holiday, there is usually entertainment inside the hotel or resort – day and night. These can vary from discos to cabaret, and games to live music.

For a real break from the trials of day to day life, give yourself a stress-free holiday by booking all inclusive. Then, forget about your wallet, it’s up to you. Go and enjoy yourself to the full!

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Stress Free Holiday Traveling

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:32:22 +0000

The holiday season is upon us, and the whole family soon will be together. Traveling isn’t always as easy as you expect, from trip-planning to luggage-lugging and long flights. Take a deep breath, it can be easy.

To lessen the hassle of pass trip-planning and to prepare your self for some of the surprises you may face along the way. Here are a few tips to save the day:

Now that’s stress-free travel planning. Happy Holidays!

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10 Meal Planning Tips For Stress-Free Holiday Meals

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:57:01 +0000

When it comes to hosting holiday parties and family events, it is important to plan ahead and come up with a game plan several weeks before the big day or event.Here are 10 important tips to help you enjoy a stress-free holiday party.1. When hosting family gatherings, we tend to over invite guests. Keep your guest list manageable and only invite the amount of people that you feel you can handle. Inviting too many guests will cause over-crowding and unnecessary stress.2. There is nothing wrong with asking others to help out by bringing a dish, dinner supplies or even showing up early or staying an hour late to help you prep or clean up after the meal.3. Keep your decorations and decor simple. You don’t need to go all out and decorate every nook and cranny of your home or entertaining space.4. Clean your home and entertaining space a week in advance. Then the day before the gathering, go back in and just do some light cleaning.5. Plan your menu weeks in advance. You can precook or bake a lot of your foods and freeze them for the big day. Just thaw the day before and reheat on party day. If you don’t have time to cook and bake, consider a fully catered or partially catered meal.6. Two weeks before the holiday gathering, draft up a supplies list. Make sure you will have enough dinner plates, bowls, serving utensils, silverware, tablecloths, chairs, etc. If you don’t have enough, there is nothing wrong with asking some of your guests to bring their supplies along. 7. Make clean up a snap by loading your dishwasher or washing dirty dishes, pots and pans as you go along. After a big meal, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in your kitchen cleaning up.8. Ask your spouse and children to help you prepare for the family gathering. They are quite capable of cleaning the house, setting up tables and chairs and decorating, which will free you up to do the more important part…cooking and baking for your guests.9. I like to over cook and have an abundance of food for my guests. It is better to have extra food than not have enough. Go to your local discount store and purchase several plastic food storage containers and you can send home leftovers with your party guests.10. If you are serving alcoholic beverages, don’t over do it. Only purchase and serve enough alcoholic beverages for each guest to have two drinks. By limiting what is on hand, you won’t have to worry about intoxicated guests driving home. Make sure you have plenty of bagged ice on hand for serving beverages.By planning out your holiday meal in advance, you can cut down on pre-party stress and anxiety. Take your time, make your lists and don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. You want your holiday party to be as stress-free and as enjoyable as possible.

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Holiday Stress Relief – Ebenezer Scrooge Found The Secret

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:30:27 +0000

Holiday stress is as much a part of the Christmas season today as shopping, and we search for the secret to stress-free holidays as frantically as we hunt for shopping bargains. So why not look to the character most often credited with changing his own experience of Christmas–Ebenezer Scrooge?
Scrooge had so many Christmas issues to overcome, it took nighttime visits from three spirits before he got the message about how to celebrate the holiday. But he learned his lesson well. After that night, Scrooge was a changed man when it came to Christmas. In Dickens’ words, “… it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!”
“I wonder if that can be said of me. Can it be said of you?” I asked my friend.
“Who knows what that even means, keeping Christmas well. Scrooge lived in a much simpler time. All he did was send a big turkey to Bob Cratchit’s family, play games at his nephew’s house, and raise Cratchit’s wages and help him with some medical bills.” My friend sounded exasperated. “Today we have excessive commercialism, too many parties, fattening food everywhere while we’re continually warned about being overweight, long lines to get the special toy our kids can’t live without, and hundreds of articles about holiday stress. Scrooge might find Christmas more of a challenge in 2006 than he did in the 1840s.”
“What do you think he’d make of all the tips on how to avoid holiday stress?” I mused. “You know-don’t try to do it all, skip the parties you don’t want to go to, make lists before you shop and cut back on spending, don’t eat too much, don’t drink too much, don’t expect too much, exercise, take relaxation breaks-stuff like that.”
“He’d call it humbug,” my friend replied. “But, like I said, he lived in a simpler time. Plus he was rich, so once he decided to be generous he could give as much as he wanted without worrying about paying off credit card bills for months like most of us today. And he was starting from nowhere, so people were thrilled with whatever he did. It’s not like they were comparing his gifts to the ones he gave last year or the ones his brother gave. I don’t get where you’re going with this.”
“I’m wondering whether we’re off on the wrong path with all the tips to banish holiday stress,” I said. “Every year more articles come out. I did a Google search on reducing holiday stress the other day and got over 78,000 hits. All the experts say we’re overwhelmed and they offer advice, but it doesn’t look like it’s working. Maybe we need to find a new approach.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying this,” my friend said. “You’ve been teaching stress-management for over 20 years, and now you’re saying it doesn’t work?”
“Oh it works for your life overall if you regularly use techniques like meditation, yoga, physical exercise, deep muscle relaxation, and time-management,” I said. “But those are long-term. We’re talking about the Christmas season here. It’s only a few weeks long. Realistically most people aren’t going to start some new technique like meditation in the middle of the Christmas season when they’re already complaining that they don’t have enough time. And little hints like setting priorities and taking time for yourself are way too general to have much impact.”
“So we’re all doomed to live with Christmas stress unless we can time travel back to Scrooge’s day when life was simple? Not a very helpful conclusion,” my friend said.
“No, not doomed,” I said. “Just misguided. Instead of reading through endless lists of ways to reduce Christmas stress, maybe we should take a lesson from Scrooge’s experience and focus on keeping Christmas well. Just step back, look around and enjoy what is out there. Look–here’s how Dickens describes what Scrooge did on that Christmas day after the spirits had visited him.”He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk — that anything — could give him so much happiness.
“You’re way oversimplifying the issue,” my friend argued. “I’m reminding you again that we live in a more complex time. We can’t just go wandering around patting unknown children on the head and peering into other people’s kitchen windows. And even if we did, I don’t think we’d find it nearly as satisfying as he did.”
“Duh! It’s a metaphor,” I responded. “Expand your awareness. Live in the moment. Enjoy the small daily pleasures. Be a good person. Help someone out. Maybe that’s enough. Christmas is a holiday. It’s supposed to be a happy time, not an endurance test. So let yourself enjoy Christmas with whatever you have, whoever you’re with, wherever you are. Maybe it’s that simple.”
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