12.18.2012
What To Do When You Really Want To Be a Grinch
While the holidays usually conjure up mental images of joy and laughter – happy memories and times shared with family and friends – it can also be a very stressful time for many. We often put so much pressure on ourselves to have the perfect gift, the perfect meal, or the perfect Christmas cards that we may find ourselves developing a Grinch-like attitude. So how can we cope with holiday stress?
I recently ran across some tips from Faith Technologies’ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, ComPysch, which are very helpful reminders to keep the holiday spirit! Below are five tips I personally found to be beneficial:Â
- Get into the spirit. Deck the halls. Build a snowman. If you have a tree, decorate it early. Too often adults miss out on the simple pleasures of celebrating the holidays and truly enjoying the moment.
- Take time out for yourself. Too often the holidays feel rushed and exhausting. We are in a hurry to shop for presents, catch up at work, and prepare for seasonal celebrations. Take the time to unwind and pamper yourself with a break from the action.
- Give of yourself. One of the best gifts you can give yourself during the holidays is self-sacrifice. Try to find time during the season to volunteer your services at a local community center, soup kitchen, or charity organization. Doing things for others can bring a real sense of inner warmth and self-worth that is more valuable than all the presents piled under your tree.
- Do not be perfect; be you. One of the quickest ways to holiday burnout is to set high, unrealistic expectations for yourself. Make your plans simple and your activities doable.
- Embrace family and friends – old and new alike. Make a personal vow not to let personalities and differences of opinion get in the way of your merrymaking. Cherish the time you spend with your loved ones, and make a better effort to be as relaxed, positive, and cheerful as you can.
If these tips are not enough to help you or a loved one feeling blue this holiday season, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offered through your employer may be another resource. These programs are confidential and free services to employees and immediate family members. Many companies use EAPs and employees need to be reminded that those services are available to them. Faith Technologies has employed the services of an EAP provider for over 10 years, and is one of many of the benefits Faith Technologies offers employees.
The holidays only come around once a year, and in a flash with all our hustling and bustling they are gone! We all have an opportunity to enjoy the festive spirit of the holidays, reflect on lessons from the past year, and start anew with the turning of another year.
Happy Holidays!
If you enjoyed this blog article, please subscribe to stay up to date on the latest industry news from our experts at Faith Technologies.