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'Tis the Season to Be Stressed - TherapistFinder.com Offers Five Tips to Holiday Happiness
(San Diego – November 3, 2009) – If you're
feeling like the Grinch this holiday season, you're not alone. While the
holidays are usually seen as a happy time, they can actually be very stressful,
filled with too many obligations, financial stress and family-related
anxiety.
TherapistFinder.com reminds you to take time for yourself
this holiday season. Feeling overwhelmed? Get back in the holiday spirit
with these helpful tips from TherapistFinder.com:
- Trim the tree, and your gift list. It's time to downsize, especially
in this economy. If you're buying a gift for every sibling, aunt,
uncle and in-law, talk to your family about setting a price limit
and drawing names to buy for just one person. Schedule a holiday potluck
or dinner out with friends and forgo gifts, or get the group together
for a festive volunteer activity, such as serving a meal at a local
soup kitchen. Focus on enjoying one another's time minus the stress
of gift giving.
- Channel Santa's workshop. Enlist the help of your partner and kids
in holiday preparations. Give the kids gifts to wrap, get their help
making holiday cookies, give your partner a list of gifts to buy on
a lunch break or schedule a family decorating day. Sharing the holiday
chores will help relieve your stress so that you can really experience
the holiday cheer.
- Here we come a-scheduling. Coordinating holiday activities for everyone
in the family can be overwhelming. Create a family holiday calendar
that you post in a prominent place that includes color-coded activities
for every family member. At a glance, you'll be able to see what obligations
are coming up, if you're overbooked and what you need to prepare.
Pencil in several shopping trips to ensure you're not scrambling at
the last minute.
- Make a list…and check it twice. It sounds simple, but making
a list of who you need to shop for, how much you want to spend and
gift ideas will eliminate a lot of stress and last-minute trips to
the store. Also, buy some generic gifts to have on hand, like candles
or gift cards, that you can grab if you need a spur-of-the-moment
gift.
- Say no. You don't have to attend every holiday gathering you're
invited to, or participate in every white elephant gift exchange.
Graciously decline and you won't be overwhelmed by extended obligations.
The issues individuals face during the holiday season can add to or magnify
existing mental health problems that may be manageable otherwise. If you
are experiencing more than the holiday blues, or think you may be depressed,
take control of your mental health by seeking counseling. Find a licensed
California-based Marriage and Family Therapist in your area at www.TherapistFinder.com,
a free service offered by the California Association of Marriage and Family
Therapists.
About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) is
a professional organization representing the state's leading licensed
Marriage and Family Therapists. CAMFT provides TherapistFinder.com as
a resource for individuals looking for marriage and family therapists
located in California. Marriage and Family Therapists treat a comprehensive
range of issues including depression, anxiety, phobias/fears, elder and
child issues, relationship issues, post-traumatic stress and severe mental
illness. For more information, visit www.camft.org or www.TherapistFinder.com.
Media Contact: Tricia Whittemore
Porter Novelli
Phone: (619) 687-7018 or (603) 219-6088
E-mail: tricia.whittemore@porternovelli.com
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