Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress

Have you noticed that people are getting a little testy? The stress of the holidays seems to bring out the Bah! Humbug! in us all. Shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, school programs -- the list of things that have to be squeezed into the next few days seems overwhelming. There's nothing like a little stress to suck the joy right out of the holidays!

It doesn't have to be that way. Follow these tips and you can decrease your holiday stress and have a holly, jolly Christmas. Happy Holidays!

• Keep your holiday expectations manageable. Make a list and prioritize it. Be realistic. This isn't the time to reorganize all the closets or scour the fridge. Do what is most important to you and your family. Concentrate on the activities that make the holidays special. Anything else can be scratched off the list and done some other time.
• Do something nice for someone else. Shovel the neighbor's walk, help out at the homeless shelter, bake cookies for the fire station, volunteer at the food pantry. Nothing makes us feel as good as helping someone else.
• Don't get bogged down trying to create "the good old days." Life is ever changing. Holiday traditions and activities should change to accommodate changes in your lifestyle.
• Concentrate on the holiday activities and traditions that make you happy. If you've always gone to your neighbor's cookie exchange but dread baking 6 dozen cookies, skip it this year. If making a dozen batches of the family peanut brittle recipe is getting to be too exhausting, pass the torch -- and the recipe -- to the next generation.
• Don't add to your stress by overtaxing your budget. There are plenty of free activities to enjoy, such as driving around to admire the neighborhood Christmas decorations, building a snowman with the kids, visiting the animals at the humane society, stringing popcorn while you watch your favorite Christmas movies.
• Spend time with the people you enjoy most. Limit the time you spend with people who make you feel uncomfortable or who add to your stress, even if they are family. If visiting family is stressful, show up for Christmas dinner and just stay an hour or two to visit and exchange gifts.
• Save some time for yourself. Do something just for you that makes you feel happy or pampered.

If you're feeling stressed because you haven't selected your Medicare drug plan yet, give me a call at 502-742-4979. If you provide me with a list of your prescriptions drugs, I can recommend the plan that will best meet your needs. Visit my website to find out more.