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Good Stress v. Bad Stress
When you think you're about to lose it, keep this in mind: There's a lot to be gained from tense times. Though we've all come to think of stress as a plague to be struck from our lives, without it, experts explain, life would be a lot less interesting.
Psychology studies show that the optimal level of stress can result in a high level of performance and an enormous sense of satisfaction.
On the other hand, too much or too little stress can be devastating. For example, imagine a Christmas when you don't bother to send cards or presents, when you decide you won't decorate your house or go to any parties. Instead of being relieved, you end up feeling empty.
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Too much stress - trying to make the holidays perfect for yourself and everyone you know - can lead not only to disappointment but even sickness. According to Sue Mitchell, clinical leader for Overlook Center's Blount Clinic, stress can put a damper on your immune system.
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"Stress basically lowers your resistance. It makes you more susceptible to stress-related diseases such as the common cold, headaches and backaches, Mitchell adds. "In severe cases, stress can even lead to panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder or depression."
She gives the following tips for keeping your stress at a "good" level:
- Get adequate rest and sleep.
- Fend off junk food - eat healthier nutritious foods.
- Keep exercising, even if you have to cut back due to time constraints.
It's easy at this time of year to think of holiday tasks as unending chores of shopping, cooking, cleaning, party planning and decorating on top of your usual home and work responsibilities. It may be more conducive to your mental health and well-being to focus on the accomplishment you feel, on the happiness you're sharing with family and friends, and on the opportunities you've created to exchange gifts and greetings and rekindle relationships.
If the balance seems to be tipping - you're feeling more "bad" stress than "good" - simply devote yourself to your highest priorities, the things that make the holidays feel right for you, and enjoy them.