But don't despair. There are ways to meet the holiday stress potential head on. By anticipating stress and taking steps to minimize it, you can keep it from spoiling your plans for an enjoyable holiday celebration. According to Rita Prather, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist at the Harris County Psychiatric Center and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School, one of the keys of reducing stress is to take stock and set some goals before the holiday rush begins. Her advice is that your holiday planning include some advance thinking about what, for you, is realistic and what is not.
Family is, for many people, what holidays are all about.
In these five stress-reducing tips, Dr. Prather emphasizes the therapeutic value of taking some time for personal relaxation and reaching out beyond family to help others. Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress Keep your expectations manageable. Set realistic goals. Remember that both negative and positive events can produce stress. Don't try to have the best time ever or risk holiday blues by romanticizing about holiday seasons past.