How to Reduce Your Stress this Christmas
In theory Christmas is a time that is filled with joy and celebration. A joyous holiday when you get together with loved ones and catch up, exchange gifts and generally have a good time.
Unfortunately in practice it can be a time of great stress and unhappiness. There is so much to do and so much to organise. And sometimes getting together with your extended family can be uncomfortable and even painful.
So here is a plan that will help you to relax a little more this Christmas and hopefully a good time will be had by all.
Christmas Shopping
Don't leave everything until the last moment. Rushing will just make you tired and more stressed. Get you Christmas shopping done early, so you don't have to spend hours fighting other shoppers for the last doll or Christmas turkey.
Don't over spend. It is very easy at Christmas time to spend too much and put yourself in a financial hole for a good part of the new year. Decide before you go shopping how much you can afford to spend and stick to your budget. Shopping early will help you stick to a budget as you will not be in a last minute panic, picking up anything that may be suitable regardless of the cost.
If money is a little tight for you or some of your family members there are a couple of ways you can reduce your spending costs. Together you could decide that all gifts should be handmade or second hand. Or you could all decide that each of you will only buy for one other person. This way instead of spending $5 on 10 people and getting them all little cute but junky things you spend $50 on one person and get them something that they will really appreciate. Decide between the family an amount that everyone is to spend and then draw names out of a hat to see who you will shop for.
Wrap the presents as soon as you can after buying them - that will leave one less thing to do on Christmas eve.
Christmas Cooking
Again planning is very important. You don't have to do it all yourself. Ask members of your family to bring something along. This way the chore is shared amongst many and everyone can feel like they have contributed.
See what preparations can be made a few days before hand. The plum pudding and mince tarts can be made weeks before hand. Do what you can, but make sure everything is stored at a safe temperature. You can wash the potatoes but they will go black if you peel them. Dealing with the Unpleasant Relatives
At Christmas time we can be thrown together with people that we would really rather not have anything with. Do your best to be pleasant to them but if they cross the line and say something that is rude stay calm. Do not attack them back; let them know that you do not appreciate their comments and that you would rather here positive comments about yourself and other members of your family.
Do your best not to let the comments of one person spoil your day. Try not to dwell on any negativity. Instead think about the things you are enjoying about the day and go and find someone you do get along well with and talk to them.
Alcohol can increase your emotional reactions to any situation so only drink in moderation.
One final word
Make sure that you look after yourself with appropriate exercise, relaxation, sleep and a healthy diet on the days leading up to Christmas. When we are feeling fit and energetic we are able to cope so much more easily with the ups and downs of life. However if we are already feeling tired and stressed any little thing can overwhelm us and this can make Christmas day more tension and tiresome.
Have a great Christmas
Want more ways to enjoy life? Kerry-Ann Cox, author and healer, has just released her new book "10 Spiritual law for stress reduction" Find our more at http://www.exaltedliving.com/stress.htm
 Google News Updated : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:49:09 GMT NATO agrees on Afghan drug role for military - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - NATO defense ministers Friday authorized their troops in Afghanistan to attack drug barons blamed for pumping up to US$100 million (euro74 million) a year into the coffers of resurgent Taliban fighters. NATO Joins Drug War in Afghanistan NATO to Hit Drug Trade in Afghanistan Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:11:48 GMT UPDATE 1-Bush says US moving quickly to solve market crisis - Forbes
Forbes - WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Friday the US government was moving aggressively to address the financial markets crisis, but he acknowledged that anxiety was feeding on itself as stocks continued to plunge. Bush appeals for confidence Bush Says Markets Must Remain Calm Despite Challenges Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:33:45 GMT A Cautious Approach to Gardasil Shot - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - News today cheering the fact that 1 in 4 teen girls has received the Gardasil vaccine sounds to me like some serious spin from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the government agency pushing girls as young as 9 to get the shot. Cancer Vaccine Used by 25% of Girls 13 to 17 Quarter of adolescent US girls received HPV vaccine Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:14:13 GMT Eagles' Westbrook out for Sunday's game - Sports Network
Sports Network - Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will not play on Sunday at San Francisco. Westbrook, who has been hampered by a sprained ankle he suffered in the Week 3 victory over Pittsburgh, fractured his ribs in ... Brian Westbrook: Ruled Out Les Bowen: Eagles vs. 49ers: The pick Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:20:18 GMT States probe possible voter registration fraud - Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune - Questions about possible cases of fraudulent voter registrations were being raised this week as officials in several states investigated hundreds of questionable or duplicate registration forms submitted by an advocacy group. Carnahan statement on ACORN registration mess Republicans try to tie Obama to vote fraud cases Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:48:10 GMT Coleman calls off negative ads - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Minneapolis Star Tribune - By Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune ...and it has nothing at all to do with several outlets (including one of Franken's ads) letting us know that a Coleman ad that wants us to … read more see Franken looking out of control/angry, is actually video of ... Coleman: I'll remove negative ads and urge others to do same Coleman says he'll pull negative ads to focus on economy Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:25:04 GMT Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Lifespring Health - MarketWatch
MarketWatch - Lifespring Health will be Donating $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Each Time you Shop Online This Month SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 10, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- October is breast cancer awareness month! Go "Passionately Pink for the Cure" on Oct. 17 Panera Bread to sell pink bagels Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:05:31 GMT Get Paid for Surveys |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... What a great time of year! It's a time to... Read More Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a... Read More Tired of the same old typical Halloween costumes. You know... Read More You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids... Read More For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season... Read More Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course... Read More Sure, you can call it a Hallmark holiday. But don't... Read More Going on a family vacation can be considerably more expensive... Read More On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration... Read More The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine... Read More Do you know how to save money at Christmas and... Read More Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as... Read More The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More Patty Lovelace Country MusicVerse #1 Through the back window of... Read More Did you know that you can make your own Halloween... Read More The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration... Read More Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in... Read More Every year millions of people exchange chocolates on February 14th... Read More Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More Now that the hot weather is finally here, we are... Read More How many times have you heard a friend say about... Read More It is widely known that many men enjoy fine jewelry.... Read More December and all the excitement that comes with it can... Read More "It is therefore recommended ... to set apart Thursday the... Read More
Adsense
websites
5 Ways to Lose Those Holiday Blues
The Magic Of Gift Giving At Christmas
Funny Couples Costume Ideas For Halloween
Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating
Find New And Exciting Halloween Masks For Your Next Costume Party!
Magical Plants of Christmas
How to Create an Irresistible Valentine?s Day Centerpiece
Mothers Day: 5 Gift Ideas Guaranteed To Make Any New Mom Happy
Saving Money on a Holiday
Why July 4th ?
A Medieval Story for Valentines Day, Bonne & Charles
How to Save Money at Christmas
Do It Yourself Gifts
9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday!
A Mothers Day Prayer! Mamma Whispered Softly!
2 Inexpensive Halloween Costume Ideas
What Causes Holiday Stress?
Seven Valentine?s Day Tips for Spouses in ?Less-Than-Perfect? Marriages
7 Tips on Giving Chocolates to Your Valentine
Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees
How to Put Some Sizzle in Your Summer Parties: 5 Ways to be a Gracious Host and a Great Guest
Making Mother?s Day Special
Jewelry As A Father?s Day Gift
Secrets to a Stress Free Holiday
Top 25 Thanksgiving Quotations
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Are You Truly Thankful For Everything?
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we stop and... Read More
Children?s Birthday Party Locations and Ideas
While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you... Read More
Mothers Day: 5 Gift Ideas Guaranteed To Make Any New Mom Happy
Sure, you can call it a Hallmark holiday. But don't... Read More
Memorial Day Flowers
Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day. Your local florist can... Read More
The Perfect Birthday Present for that Little Girl (No Batteries Required)
The DilemmaAs a mom of a five-year-old girl, I have... Read More
For Thanksgiving ? Be Thankful He?s Not the Cheating Kind
Infidelity is at an all time high. According to the... Read More
Stress-Free Party Planning
It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and... Read More
Use H-O-L-L-Y to Beat Christmas Cooking Stress
What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have... Read More
Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!
Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More
Overcoming Loneliness this Christmas
Christmas is one of those times when the social norm... Read More
10 Reasons Santas Broke This Year
1. Santa Spends More Than He MakesSanta's paychecks are nothing... Read More
Make it an Unforgettable Birthday!
The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More
Valentines Day! The Sweet and Romantic Holiday
When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates... Read More
Event Planning 101
One of the tools I use as a professional organizer... Read More
Scary halloween Masks
There are countless Halloween masks available today. At Halloween specialty... Read More
Outside the Box Gingerbread Houses
Beyond trees and wreaths, there are few symbols of the... Read More
Getting Great Pictures of the Kids this Halloween
There she was in all her glory. Long white lab... Read More
Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More
Fourth of July Safety
Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of... Read More
Find Great Halloween Costume Ideas! Have The Most Creative Costumes This Year
Usually, the hardest part about Halloween is finding the perfect... Read More
2 Quick and Easy Halloween Crafts
Making Halloween crafts can really get you into a festive... Read More
A Mothers Keepsake
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the... Read More
Eggs-travagant Eggs
Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!You don't need... Read More
Wake Up ? Its Almost Fathers Day
Father's Day is approaching fast. In the USA it falls... Read More
Consider the Egg
The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology,... Read More
Holiday |