How to Handle Holiday Stress, Distress, De-stress

Well, it's that Holly-Jolly season once again! Cheers ~ all the amazing things you've made happen this year!

The Thanksgiving holiday always reminds me that the year is coming to an end…

 It’s pretty apparent that the year is coming to an end… and a new year is going to be sneaking in like a friend who had too much to drink on New Year’s Eve.

The way I see this:  November and December will just be a few months stuffed with extra activities that include: fun, foodies, cocktails, stories, family, friends, colleagues, and anyone who’s in your circle of influence.

I am embarking on my 2nd year with two start-up companies [The Zapata Group and this blog platform]. During the holiday break from my kid’s school,  I usually work smarter and harder to get my companies ready for the new year that is fastly approaching!   Last year, at this time… I wrote my 1st eBook during my 2nd grader’s holiday break from school.  Click here… I’d love to share it with you: “How to Escape the Lack of Success…Have you Ever Been Dissatisfied?” 

So back to the post!…

This time of year is actually pretty fun, however, don’t be fooled; all families endure some level of stress and distress during the holidays. We can become burdened by the weight of self-consciousness, bad memories, recall negative conversations that included the ‘f’ bomb.  Okey dokey, maybe not in your scene, but in my family shizzle, this has happened.

Most families have one or two ass-hole relatives that we don’t look forward to seeing during the holidays. C’mon, if you do not have this in your life… you must be living in Never-Never-Land.  The land where you never, never face your problems or fears and deal with them.  I have learned to use these negative moments as motivation to create and embrace the best holiday season without stress and distress.

 

How to handle the Holiday Stress, Distress, and De-stress?  Well, today is your lucky day!  I am going to share a few tips on how I stay sane during this hectic time of the year.

I no longer affiliate myself with negative, dumb ass people [this includes close relatives] who are rude and who don’t give a crap about improving themselves.  Not only are they quick to pre-judge; they can be condescending.  You can’t share any “great” news with them, because … well, they’re like mushrooms growing in the dark: Gloomy, damp, and usually want to talk about politics or religion.  Two topics that are not on my menu of choices.

What Causes Holiday Stress?

Struggling for years [since my 20’s… until recently] this has been a personal dissatisfying topic.  Tired of dealing with this year after year is what led me to search for my passion for helping myself and maybe help others…

Actually, if you think about this, holiday stress is not real. It just looks like something else because we’ve all been conditioned to forgive and forget… or to just accept things the way they are. Sorry, no way Jose… in my book if you’re an ass, I don’t want to be around you.

Holiday stress can be compared to spandex.  Let me explain. You see when you put on Spandex – – it is uncomfortable because your internal organs are being suffocated [by the way for those of you reading this blog post, Spandex is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber and can be used as underwear for women and men  – – like foundation garments intended to make people look thinner than they actually are]

So, holidays can appear to look different than they really are. I suggest you create your holiday season to be as stress-free and joyful as possible.  How do you do this?  Hmmm, let me share a little secret with you: “It’s up to you to create what you want with the time you’re given…”  This is an old quote of mine from my first book ’12 Secrets for Successful Hispanic Women’.

Ode to the users of spandex under their cocktail dress!  We know you’re feeling compressed like a little smokey saugsage ~

We all have thoughts on this topic, however, we don’t talk much about it because the remedy may not seem easy… when really it is.  Remember, your job is not to make everyone happy.  You will receive criticism no matter what you do to ‘keep the peace’ during the holidays.

Holiday stress is just intended to make people crazy, and feel bad because we’re burdened by the weight of frustration, and we will somehow talk ourselves into believing that we are supposed to spend a glorious time celebrating baby Jesus’s birthday… with these jerk relatives along with the shiny ornaments hanging from the evergreen tree purchased at Home Depot. This causes distress!

… just like the Spandex, you may wear under your cocktail dress to make you look thinner.   It’s just freaking uncomfortable~

Now, that I have cleared up what causes Holiday Stress… let’s move on to how to de-stress from it!

You and I may have different suggestions for de-stressing from the holidays. So, first, ask yourself this: What makes me smile during the Holiday Season? Use this question as a springboard to jump into some sincere answers that can put a smile on your heart.

Tip #1 – How to de-stress from the holiday stress

Tacos, Tamales, Wine, or Margaritas is my first answer.  My second answer is baking.  I like to be home baking cranberry and walnut cookies, pumpkin spice bread  [add a tequila shot into my lovely mouth… just a couple] and put one some great music!  Now, I am not suggesting you aim to get sloppy joe lush face and turn your remedy to cure holiday stress by consuming large quantities of alcohol…   Once you cut through the vague sense of dreading the fact that you do not have to tolerate negative family gatherings and identify specific problems, you can find ways to de-stress from holiday stress. Invite your friends to your home.  The friends who have become like your family. Remember, this is a time for giving thanks, for being kind, for lifting spirits up.  Unfortunately, even our closest relatives will not get to experience this with you because they are negative and have no self-awareness.

Tip #2 – How to de-stress from the holiday stress

Volunteer at a local soup kitchen in your community.  I have volunteered countless times this year with a non-profit: RYG [Reach Youth Global].  We have up to 150 amazing volunteers go to Loaves and Fishes [Downtown Houston, TX] where we feed up to 300 children, women, and men. You cannot imagine how this is such a rewarding experience.  I promise you… If you did this, you will forget about your personal problems in a split second.  Giving back to those who have nothing, can make your heart smile and cry at the same time. It is a mix of strong emotions that can only be experienced … not written about.

Tip #3 – How to de-stress from the holiday stress

Skip the whole holiday thing and just take a trip with a special person.  Go somewhere that you’ve always wanted to go. This is refreshing. This has no pressure to ‘perform’ or ‘entertain’.  See a new state, a new country, or if a stay-cation is the next option… do it!   If you happen to live in a metropolitan city like I do… having a stay-cation can be a blast!  I love Houston. We’ve experienced several awesome stay-cations downtown.   There is so much to see and do here~  Go figure we’re the 4th largest city in the U.S. next to New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Houston’s ethnic and cultural transformation, which is more dramatic than that of any other U.S. city in the past century, is full of arts, music entertainment, parks, festival, museums, breweries, bayous to kayak in, and has booming downtown due to the arrival of Super Bowl LI

Remember:

• Necessity and experiences will get you through this holiday season.
• Having a graveyard of stressful memories is not how you should spend your holiday season – create what is missing.
• Make your holidays cheerful. Your holidays are not in the old negative memories and the old negative conversations…
• Live now – The choice is yours it really is that simple. Don’t worry about what other family members are going to think or say.  They do not live your life.

Having a graveyard of stressful memories is not how you should spend your holiday season - create what is missing. This is your life. xoxo

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