Reducing Stress During The Holidays
.

    The Christmas and New Year's Holiday season should be a time of peace, love and joy. As Christians, we should also spend additional time reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas, that of the birth of the Messiah, the real true hope for all mankind.

      However, unrealistic expectations combined with financial limits can cause high levels of stress during this time. Many experts believe that psychological stress suppresses the immune system.  As a result, we are much more likely to become ill during the holidays - and to remain ill for a longer time.

    Having experienced and lived through just such trials with the illness of my late mother, (Alzheimer's) and the stress it placed on our family, I can testify that they have a very valid point.

      To minimize the stress during these next few weeks, here are some practical stress-busting suggestions that I hope will be helpful as a starting point for a healthier holiday season.

   BE FLEXIBLE:
  The primary cause of holiday stress is unrealistic expectations. So, take it easy on yourself and others by accepting that your house, gifts, activities, and food may not be perfect.

    GIVE GIFTS FROM THE HEART:
     Instead of blowing your budget, why not please friends and family members with a simple gesture or token from the heart? Holiday cookies and decorations, a poem - even a kind word- are often the most meaningful gifts of all.

LEARN TO SAY "NO"

    You don't have to attend every party or volunteer at every holiday function. Allow yourself to relax and you'll get more done overall. Admittedly, this has been the most difficult for me, personally, to put into action. When friends ask for "just a few minutes of your time", it really is difficult to say "no", but each of us should learn this important tool of self preservation. As my pastor has tried to teach me, the jobs were being done before I was born, and they WILL get done, even after I'm gone.

GET AWAY FROM THAT TV SET OR COMPUTER SCREEN!!!!!!!!!!

   If you spend the just the average American's time at either, you are robbing yourself and your family of precious time you will never recover. Who cares what some Hollywood actor says? Why allow a mythological character to "steal" your Christmas? Why allow the liberal media to do your thinking for you with alarmist news stories about events not in your control?

    Instead, why not open that precious book (the Holy Bible), and reread the Christmas story; and then to put it all in perspective, reread the Easter story to remind yourself of the most precious gift of all. The birth of Jesus, God becoming man, is just the beginning of the story. And if you really want to lift your spirit, keep reading. (If you're like me, I sometimes like to skip a little ahead in a story, and I've read to the back of the book and we win!)
 

    These are not my original ideas. No doubt they were all introduced into my thinking by others, but the point is not who thought of them first. The important thing is that these precepts can help you have a better life year round. Take a hard look at what's really important this holiday season and set your priorities (including getting plenty of rest). That way, you'll make it a more special time for the person whose life you can control the easiest - yourself!

    Here's  praying  that  no  matter  how  you  choose to  spend  your  time  that  you  have  a  blessed,
Christ - filled  Christmas,  and  the  best  New  Year  ever.                                                                        Ron H

[ THE INSPIRATIONS ] [ Insps Tour Schedule ] [ Inspirations Press Info ] [ Family & Friends Tour ] [ Inspirations News ] [ Singing In The Smokies ] [ ORDER INFO ] [ CDs~DVDs~Music, etc ] [ ONLINE MUSEUM ] [ THE CHAPEL ] [ Ministry Links ] [ Southern Gospel Links ] [ About HeavensEdge ] [ FUNNY PAGES ]