TIPS ON MANAGING HOLIDAY STRESS
OFFERED BY PROVIDENCE EXPERTS

Nov. 15, 2007

WHEN “SHOPPING ‘TIL YOU DROP” BECOMES A PROBLEM
Seasonal advertisements, window displays and city sidewalks dressed in holiday style evoke the spirit of giving during the holidays, but they can cause some people to get carried away. For the shopoholic or compulsive shopper, the need to buy can bring disastrous financial and emotional consequences. Providence behavioral health experts explain that this destructive behavior is most likely used to manage anxiety and avoid powerful feelings.

GET A HANDLE ON SEASONAL STRESS
Even if you love the holidays, feelings of anxiety and exhaustion can accompany the joys and excitement of the season. Providence behavioral health experts say pressures at work and home, family differences and financial strain are common sources of stress.. The best advice: get enough rest and avoid perfectionistic expectations, plan ahead and prioritize special seasonal events with your family, and then, set limits and stick to them.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS WITH HYPERACTIVE CHILDREN
Children can have a difficult time coping with the excitement of the holidays. And when parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), disrupted daily routines can result in family chaos. Providence child psychologists suggest a few tips for holiday planning that can help children with or without attention deficit disorder. Keep to daily routines like meals and bedtimes, allow your child time to play to release energy, and set specific rules and expectations for holiday activities.

WORKING OUT TO BEAT THE BLUES
When the hectic holiday pace and seasonal stress start getting you down, it’s even more important to get some exercise. Providence experts say the simplest and most immediate approach to stress reduction is to make time, even small amounts, for exercise and recreation. Exercise causes the brain to release endorphins, which are opium-like (mood-elevating?) substances that ease pain and produce a sense of comfort and euphoria. In addition, exercisers go to sleep faster, have sharper memories and have better reaction times than non-exercisers… and less stress!

ELDERLY MORE LIKELY TO FEEL ISOLATED, DEPRESSED
Remember that the holiday season is particularly challenging for older adults who live alone. Some tend to consume lots of daily news (television, newspapers, radio, etc.), which makes them more likely to feel fearful, isolated, depressed and sometimes rather suspicious. Providence behavioral health experts explain why the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the holiday blues and how we can all help to ease their way.

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Providence Health & Services - Oregon Region, ranked as the sixth most integrated health care system in the nation, offers a comprehensive array of health and education services through its seven hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services. With more than 15,000 employees, Providence is the state’s second-largest private employer. Visit www.providence.org/oregon.