The Holidays are already a very stressful time, add family, presents, travel, etc. to the mix and it can make things that much more stressful. Don’t let this happen to you, by knowing what stressor’s might trigger you this season and working on ways you can’t prevent this from happening. Since the stress response has evolved over the years it has helped us prepare to figure things out before they turn into a huge mess. What makes this time of the year so stressful is that, as much as we may want too, we can’t get away from relatives, friends, kids, etc all wanting this year to be one for the record books. Since it appears we are stuck with these stressor’s it is important to know what they are and how to deal with them.

• Holiday Stressor #1: Weight Gain: Let’s get this out of the way at the beginning, if you gorge yourself at Christmas dinner, you’re looking at weight gain of right around 2 lbs. That is not that big of a deal so go ahead and relax and enjoy that pie. The bigger problem is all of the leftover food that you will sometimes be eating for days. If you eat all that leftover food consistently for days after you will gain about a pound every three days. The solution to this would be to snack often, before you attend holiday parties. Nuts, yogurt, half a turkey sandwich with tomato to avoid stuffing yourself at the actual meal.
• Holiday Stressor #2: Your Social Schedule: With the amount of invites, holiday Christmas parties for you and the rest of the family make it hard to get anything else done. How do you make brief appearances without offending the hosts? Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper says “As soon as you arrive, find the host and say, “I didn’t want to miss this, but I can only stay for 15 minutes.” They will appreciate the effort you made.
• Holiday Stressor #3: Gift Giving: Commercialism fuels terrific self-righteous anger in some people, but presents aren’t inherently evil. Just keep in mind that your kid will never ask for what he really wants which is time with you. So make sure you reserve some time to play with your children after presents are handed out.
• Holiday Stressor #4: Christmas Cards: A simple signature on your card seems so incomplete and impersonal so you stress about writing more to each and every contact. You should craft a holiday letter/update that you can print in bulk. Technology has evolved so much and it makes it easier for you to come up with something fun and creative, but also time efficient. Also remember to: Keep it short (no more than a page), Keep it positive, and don’t spend more than an hour writing it.
•  Holiday Stressor #5: Holiday Travel: Traveling this holiday season? Worried about leaving your home unattended? There are plenty of ways to prevent yourself from having to worry whether your home is protected or not. Invest your money in a Home Security System that will monitor your house while away. To find a Home Security Service Provider in your area visit us at Connect Your Home.

Relax and have a good time this holiday season and try not to get too stressed. Follow these tips to ensure that things run smoothly and you can enjoy the time with family and friends. To learn more tips for safely protecting your home this holiday season, visit us at Connect Your Home or call (888)566-3979.