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How To Have A Happy Holiday
November 30th 2007
TORONTO- As the holiday crunch count down gets an official start this weekend, Shepell.fgi is giving some simple tips to help everyone through to the New Year.
"Every year, it seems expectations and pressure we put on ourselves and others grows," said Rod Phillips, Shepell.fgis President and CEO. "But if you know what your stress triggers are, you can take some simple steps to ensure your holiday season is happy and healthy."
Put a Stop to Great Expectations
Are you giving Martha Stewart a run for her title as domestic goddess? Or are you going to scream if you unwrap another pair of slipper socks?
If even thinking about putting on the full turkey deal for the whole gang is keeping you up at night, you may want to consider asking friends and family to bring a favourite dish. Everyone contributes and gets to share in the meal.
On the other hand, having set expectations can be equally stressful. No one can read exactly what you have in mind, and if you have a need to control the seasons events youre setting yourself up for stress and anxiety. Letting go is not only liberating, but you may have a better time.
Keep from Compounding your Blues
Cold weather and grey skies can be a recipe for winter blues. If you add unhealthy rich food and a lack of exercise youll just compound the effects. Mixing in a large amount of alcohol and its depressant effects could explain bleak feelings.
Keeping to nutritious food and limiting alcohol will make you more energetic and more likely to keep you your exercise program.
Remember depression is a real illness if youre particularly blue, either call your Employee Assistance Program or your doctor for help.
Validate your Life and your Loss
The holidays have an "anniversary effect" and are often a trigger for upsetting feelings if youve lost a loved one. If this is your first holiday season without someone important in your life, you may have unexplained feelings of anger or sadness. Realize that this is a normal part of the grieving process and allow yourself to have these feelings.
Even if this is not your first holiday season without your loved one, feelings of grief can still surface and surprise you. Embrace these feelings, because they are an expression of the love you still have for the person you lost.
Dont be shy reach out to friends and family if you feel you need support.
Credit Check
Remember that no gift is worth running into unmanageable debt. Often we lose track of our spending and put ourselves in financial strain the first few months of the New Year.
The best way to keep it in check is to make a list and stick to it. If you find that you are overspending because youre picking up those impulse items while you wait in the long checkout lines, avoid the mall at peak times. Take off a Monday morning and get things done fast, or shop online.
Dont shop on an empty stomach were more likely to overspend when were hungry or have low blood sugar.
Trust that your friends and family would probably take the present back in a heartbeat if they knew you went into debt to buy it.
Give Something Back
Many families contribute to their community at this time of year by adopting a family in need for the season through local charitable organizations.
"The holidays are a time for us to spend with friends and family, a time to give love and to feel love," said Karen Seward, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. "If you take the pressure off yourself and others, youll be able to enjoy the season."
For more information, please contact:
Rosalind Robertson
PR and Events Manager, Shepell·fgi
rrobertson@shepellfgi.com
(416) 558- 3117
(416) 355-5491
About Shepell·fgi
Shepell·fgi is Canadas leading provider of workplace health services, including prevention-focused Employee Assistance Programs. The company services over six million employees and their families across Canada, the United States and internationally. Shepell·fgi helps organizations maintain healthy employees and healthy workplaces.
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