Combat Holiday Depression And Enjoy Yourself

What is it about the holiday season that puts people under so much stress? If you answered lack of money, then you rank with the 61 percent of Americans who cite this as the number-one reason for holiday stress, according to a poll by the American Psychological Association. Following the lack of money were the pressures of gift giving, not enough time and credit card debt.

Holiday stress has become a growing concern as one out of every five Americans are worried that the excess stress could potentially affect their physical health. Common coping methods that over one-third of Americans turned to were eating and drinking to soothe their stresses. On a positive note, the poll revealed that 45 percent of Americans use exercise as a stress-coping tool, while 44 percent utilize religious and spiritual practices. Additionally, a small percentage took advantage of massage and yoga.

Experts stressed that most people turn to what they are most familiar with when faced with stressful situations and as such a common familiar coping strategy involved eating or drinking alcohol. Even though these activities aren't good for their health, people take solace in them because they provide them with a sense of comfort.

Rather than resorting to these short-term fixes, one expert offered some healthier and long-lasting stress-relieving techniques.

• Think of holidays as a way to reconnect with people and solidify good relationships
• Keep your holiday task list simple to avoid overwhelming yourself by setting goals that aren't realistic
• Look at stressful situations in a broader context and keep a handle on blowing things out of proportion
• Before a holiday stressor gets the best of you, find out what the underlying cause of the stressful situation is and focus on that
• Don't ignore your own needs and remember to take the time to participate in activities that are meaningful and relaxing to you
  

By practicing these techniques and taking care of yourself, the mind and body will become stronger and more resilient to stressful situations as they surface throughout the holiday season.

Science Blog December 7, 2004