Surviving the Holidays…FYW Style!

Mistletoe, Eggnog, stuffed turkeys…oh my! Yup, it’s that time of year again, folks. Some of you may be jumping for joy while others are jumping into the nearest closet with the intentions of coming out somewhere around January 2nd.

It’s stressful, it really is. Maybe you have clients who are rushing to get some last-minute web copy finished, or that e-book finally published even though it languished in the Drop Box for the last three months. Or on the family side, maybe both sets of parents are pulling out all of their guilt-tripping talents when it comes to quality time.

Whatever it is, it’s bound to happen to the best of us, no matter how well we think we’re prepared for it. So when that cloud descends, what are we to do?

Here are a few things to try to get your happy hormone levels up again and a few more to consider to ensure you’re not locked up for a variety of stress-related crimes:

Volunteer

In her October 5th post, Giselle Maclean wrote about how volunteering can work wonders for your career. It can work wonders for your mood as well. Who doesn’t feel good when they can make another person smile or feel good about themselves? Smiles, laughs, and a genuine thank you really are contagious.

You don’t have to go all out and devote full days to working in a soup kitchen. Would that be absolutely wonderful? Of course! But every little bit counts. What about giving a few hours on a slow afternoon ringing the bells for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas campaign? There are many other options in your area. Check out VolunteerMatch for some charities who are looking for help.

Deck the halls…trim the tree…you get the idea

One of my favorite memories of the holidays is falling asleep under the lit Christmas tree one morning. See? I’m getting warm-n-fuzzy feelings just thinking about it! However your beliefs translate this holiday season, there are at least a couple of ways to get into the spirit in a “visually creative” way! Decorate a tree (evergreen or otherwise), bake some cookies that are supposed to look like Santa yet never quite turn out right, give your office a little holiday cheer with a new screensaver. How about hanging up some colorful lights on the outside of your home? But only if the bulbs are all still working and they have remained untangled while packed away these last 11 or so months. If they haven’t, we may have to add that to the other list in this post.

Read/Watch/Listen to the Christmas classics

Who can forget the images of Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap? Or Tiny Tim and Scrooge? Chances are, these holiday classics were everywhere when you were growing up. After you’ve brushed up on their versions, why not write your own? Imagine the possibilities! Santa setting off the ADT security system, Tiny Tim demanding Guitar Hero…

Just like reading everything you can get your hands on makes you a better writer the rest of the year, rereading these jewels can get you into the happy holiday spirit in no time…and provide some inspiration to boot. Listen to Bing Crosby’s White Christmas no matter what the weather is outside or laugh at Ralphie getting his tongue stuck on the pole in A Christmas Story. Now’s the time!

Get some fresh air

Getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine is probably the quickest and easiest pick-me-up. Cool, crisp air can be so invigorating! If you find yourself getting lethargic and grumpy, step outside for a few minutes and take a few deep breaths to clear your mind. If there’s some snow on the ground and ice on the trees…even better! Enjoy the winter wonderland that surrounds you. (I know I’m taking a chance with writing this tip because as a recent transplant to MN, I’m told that I shouldn’t do this during a Minnesota winter unless I want ice crystals to form on my delicate lung tissue. In that case, maybe I’ll preach–and not practice–this one.)

Now for the “maybe-you-should-avoid-these-like-a-theater-on-the-opening-night-of-a-Hannah-Montana-movie” list

Shopping malls

If you’re on your last nerve and you find yourself cursing out the goldfish for needing to be fed everyday, chances are you should stay as far away as possible from any likely-to-be-crowed shopping location. Frustrated and competitive parents (I’ll race you to the Wiis!), screaming, tantrum-throwing kids, the millions of oblivious shoppers running over your feet with shopping carts…the list goes on.  Not the perfect recipe for Zen. If you feel like a rubber band about to snap back, stay home and either shop online or go at a less busy time (i.e. 3am).

Negative Nellies and Nelsons

We all know them. The whiners. The complainers. The people you will never be able to please no matter what. Don’t even subject yourself to them! This is supposed to be a joyful and happy time…don’t let them melt your snowman. Sometimes you have to be around them because of social or familial obligations. That’s okay. Say hello, give a big hug and kiss (if applicable) and busy yourself with something else on the other side of the room/house/office from them. Don’t avoid them, per se. If they approach you again, repeat the above steps. You have the power to choose to be happy and surround yourself with things and people that help you achieve that happiness. Here are some more tips from Live-With-Confidence.com on how to deal with negative people.

Consuming every single bottle of alcoholic fun you’ve been gifted…before sundown

This goes further than the “alcohol depresses your nervous system leading to depression” medical reasons. Maybe some of you have your own cringe-worthy stories that go something like this: Aunt Edna and Cousin Suzie are real bit– …not nice people. They gossip, make snide remarks about your weight or your sequined vests, and laugh about how your daughter got cut from the cheerleading squad.

You discover the eggnog and it’s love at first sight.

Before you know it, they’re wrestling the glass away from you as you’re licking it clean while screaming at Edna that she’s got a huge nose and halitosis. You may feel vindicated while the alcohol is still in effect, but once your liver starts processing it, the reality of your actions is going to hit you. And chances are you’re going to want to retake your position in that dark closet.

Go ahead…enjoy yourself with some festive brews. But do so responsibly because if you do something REALLY stupid (like drive), then the repercussions will be much worse than glares from across next year’s Thanksgiving table.

What other things do you find help your sanity stay around for the holidays?

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