Holiday Stress-Less Checklist

Try our easy tips for a healthier holiday - and check seasonal stress off your list!

Gift Giving

• Draw names for gifts. It's an easy and fun way to exchange gifts that also makes your list of people to buy for more manageable.
• Draw up a budget. Give yourself and idea of what you want to spend and try to stick to it. Also, limit your use of credit cards that lead to debt and more stress after the holidays.
• Wrap up a good deed. If money is tight, consider giving "honey do" gifts, good for things like running errands, babysitting, trimming the bushes, etc. These are especially good for busy families and for elderly relatives.

Holiday Parties

• Eat a healthy snack before you go to a party so that you won't be so hungry. At the party, take small portions of things that are high in calories and watch your alcohol consumption.
• Don't drink and drive. Always have a designated driver assigned at any social outing or call a cab.

Healthy Choices

• Deck the halls (and stock the pantry) with healthy foods. Instead of high-fat holiday foods, keep plenty of apples, grapes, yogurt, pretzels, low fat popcorn, rice cakes and low fat granola bars on hand.
• Actively enjoy the season. Take a walk around the block and look at the holiday lights (leave the cell phone at home).
• Take time every day to s-l-o-w down . Read the newspaper; listen to music, phone someone who you know is alone and who will appreciate your time.

Family Time

• Take stock of family traditions. Think about what really makes the holidays special for your family. Have a family meeting and talk about how to spend time together.
• Learn to say no to things that you really don't want to do but feel that others expect.
• Count to 10. At family gatherings, count to 10 before you blow off steam at Uncle Marty's jokes. Most of the time, it isn't worth the fight or family problems that it will cause long after the holiday's over.
• Give the best gift of all - quit smoking! It will be a gift for you and your family's health that will continue to have benefits for years to come.

- Suzanne Feather, Preferred Care Community Educator

Posted: December 2004