Why Are The Holidays So Stressful?-Part 1

Imagine, if you will, what happens in the last six or seven weeks of the year. Three holidays in a row with all kinds of joy, reactions, requirements, and STRESS. Yup, for some, the "happiest" time of the year can be a real "bummer".

It begins with Thanksgiving and what has evolved into "the huge get together and meal". Stuff yourself with turkey, dressing, and all the goodies. Don't forget the pumpkin pie. Next is Christmas with gift giving, meals, visits, and on and on. Lastly is the New Year's with parties, resolutions, football and sports, or movies. Just three days, right? For some, yes. But for many, it builds over the six weeks into turmoil, stress, and even depression. Why? Let's break it down.

Before Thanksgiving, you decide where you will celebrate that day. If at home, you must prepare by determining who the guests will be (if any), getting all the "stuff' for the meal, clean the house, make arrangements for out of town guests, and planning events if needed. If you are going to someone else's home, you have to plan how and when to go, what you must take, etc. If traveling, every means of travel can be a hassle due to traffic, or amount of people, or the weather. After the day is over, you've got everything in reverse.

Now, Christmas is approaching and what you did for Thanksgiving repeats itself. Plus, you've got presents to buy, decorations to put up, and, if you celebrate New Year's largely, that planning must be added in on top of preparation for Christmas. Consider the crowds during shopping, what will you buy for whom, and what, and how much. And traffic just went crazy with all the others doing the same things you are doing.

Yes, the holidays can be crazy, and stressful, and eventful, and, sometimes, depressing. But, if you do some advanced planning and preparation to get yourself organized, you can beat the odds and have a very pleasant holiday season. We'll look at this in Part 2 in a few days.