A 2008 holiday stress poll by the APA showed that more than eight out of 10 Americans anticipate stress during the holiday season. Money, in particular, can be a cause of stress, as parents feel demands to purchase gifts, decorations and other items tied to holiday celebrations. In the 2008 holiday stress poll, households with children [...]
Holiday stress can quickly spiral out of control… but you can take steps to keep your holidays merry and bright, not frantic and frazzled. Consider some ways to manage your stress: Don't push yourself too hard to find the "perfect" gift. Start shopping now so you're not rushed at the end of the season. Make [...]
By, Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT, CWS – Columbia College New Year is a time for new beginnings. These may include making resolutions. This year discover ways to help you make New Year's resolutions or goals that will stick. Many people use the start of a New Year as a reason to commit to [...]
Given continued economic uncertainty, the holidays have the potential to create additional challenges this year. Families are cutting back, people are worrying about job security or unemployment, and seniors are concerned about their retirement. Such worries are stressful, and the American Psychological Association (APA)'s 2011 Stress in America survey found that 22 percent of Americans report an extreme level [...]
During the holidays, a variety of seasonal toys, decorations, and other items can be potentially hazardous to your family. Here’s what you can do to help keep the season merry and safe. Don’t toy around with toy safety Choose toys appropriate for the age, abilities, and skills of your kids. Check the toy’s packaging for [...]
Here are five tactics to help you steer clear of putting on weight during the holiday season: 1. Be realistic. It’s no fun to be stressed out and trying to lose weight during the holidays. Instead, aim to hold the line at your current weight. 2. Shop smart. Celebrate the season with festive and healthy [...]
Around the holidays, step-family life can become particularly stressful, especially for children who'll spend time at more than one household. Circumstances vary depending on each situation. In general, households separated by a short distance in which both sides of the family see the child/children frequently have different issues than those separated by long distances where [...]
The holidays can be a stressful time. The festivities can lead to anxiety related to excessive shopping for friends and family, finding time for social obligations, worrying about holiday debt, and trying to do too much. You can detour from your everyday routine, neglecting proper nutrition and regular exercise. These pressures can lead to the [...]
The holidays are usually a time for remembering—remembering your childhood and the excitement you felt during the holidays, remembering favorite traditions like baking cookies, or remembering little gestures of kindness from others that made past holidays special. Many of us look forward to the holidays as a time to gather family and loved ones together [...]
These days, shopping is as much a form of entertainment as going to the movies or playing video games. Between mall culture and convenient credit, it's easy to spend your time spending money. Shopping shifts into high gear around the holidays. Some people view shopping as a sport, some as a chore. For others, the [...]