At the first sign of the holidays, it can begin. The constant barrage of marketing, your child is already asking for this year's must have toy, and your checkbook is screaming "show me the money".
Doctor Raymond Remmel says one of the biggest holiday stress creators is the goal that we set for ourselves. "We're going to make this one the best one ever. And that's always a mistake because it's not a contest and you're not trying to beat any past record and you're not trying to repeat a holiday from the past."
The holidays can be even more stressful for women who traditionally do the majority of decorating, shopping, wrapping and cooking. "Women seem to take that role on of making it right. Where as men don't feel bad about buying the gifts the day before and wrapping them in newspaper."
A good shopping plan will be a great help. Include a list of names and possible gifts, a budget, and arm yourself with coupons before taking off for the mall. And if you can't find that one toy your child says he just can't live without, Doctor Remmel says think about this. "Twenty years from now, where's that little greatest gadget going to be? Nobody knows. It may be in the landfill. It's not that important. But what's going to be remembered is the time that you spent with your child and that they spent with you."
Even though the holidays are a time of joy, this may be the first Christmas without a loved one who has passed. Doctor Remmel says it's natural to feel sad. "One way to look at the holiday from that stand point is --this is really an opportunity to get together and talk about that person that is gone." Laughing and sharing stories is a way of honoring them at the gathering.
There are many causes of depression and stress throughout the holidays, but Doctor Remmel says if you can find time, take a 15-to-30 minute walk outside in the sun as often as you can. It will help keep depression and stress under control.