ShopAtHome SHOP.COM

Relaxing Holidays - Five Ways To Make Your Next Holiday Stress Free


For many people the end of a year is a time of increased stress. Instead of relaxing and unwinding from a busy year, the pressures of buying gifts, travelling or spending time with long lost relatives makes it a difficult time.

In our household for example, my 4 year-old daughter's excitement levels have been taken to new highs by performing in front of 800 people as a 'teddy bear' in her first ever ballet concert.

Loaded on top of this was her Kindergarten show, this time performing the role of an 'angel' in a Nativity Play, and counting down the days to our four-week trip to Tasmania.

Just yesterday, she woke at 5.15 am and started packing her bags to go. I smiled when she told me she had packed 8 videos for the trip!

Now I'm really looking forward to our holiday and spending time at Freycinet Lodge on the Island's east-coast, feeling the crunch of pristine white sand under my feet at Wineglass Bay, watching the sun set over the pink granite outcrops of 'The Hazards' and tasting the fresh salty tang of locally grown pacific oysters.

But it won't be easy getting ready, packing and then travelling for 12 hours with full luggage and 2 children under 5 years old.

Add to this the fact we're staying with relatives. So what is the solution?

Here are my Top 5 Ways to make End of Year Holidays a relaxing and stressfree time.

1. CLARIFY AND SHARE EXPECTATIONS.

Be aware of the extra pressure on families at this time of the year. Clarify with family members what each individual wants from the break. For me, it may be reading all those business books I didn't get time for during the year. I know for my wife, it is getting extra help looking after the children and spending time together as a family. How can both these needs be met? Use these three questions to clarify the needs and wants of others at this busy time. What do you want? What do you dread? What will put a smile on your face?

2. PLAN, MONITOR AND BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR BUDGET.

Money issues can be a big source of conflict at the end of the year. It is meant to be a time for gift giving and sharing but it can get out of hand. Set a budget for gifts, entertainment and food. Stick to the budget and monitor it regularly so you don't overspend.

3. DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITY AND SHARE TASKS.

You can't do everything all of the time. Many people strive for perfection at the end of the year because of the many positive and festive images portrayed by the media. Be realistic and work out what you can and can't achieve. Ask for and get help. Be prepared to give up some control to share the load.

4. COMMUNICATE YOUR FEELINGS.

The end of the year, and in Western cultures Christmas, is an emotional time. Share your feelings of joy with others. If you're feeling stressed, let others know how you feel and ask for support.

5. KEEP UP YOUR REGULAR ROUTINE.

Keep doing the things you have enjoyed doing during the year, like exercise and eating well. Take time out for yourself and your family.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries.You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com


"Holidays" in the News:

Kansas City Star

Shofars will ring in Hebrew holiday
Newberg Graphic
For observant Jews across the world, sundown Wednesday will mark the beginning of Rosh Hashanah and the high-holidays kicking off year 5771 on the Hebrew ...
Recession prompts synagogues to lower high costs of High HolidaysKansas City Star
A Stirring New Prayer Book for the High HolidaysWall Street Journal
New local Jewish congregation hosting first high holiday servicesFrederick News Post (subscription)
Willits News -The Jewish Week -Ultimate Pearland (blog)
all 222 news articles »


Kansas City Star

Millions expected to hit the road for Labor Day
msnbc.com
"During summer holidays, it's much more fun to cook a meal outdoors with relatives or with your friends," said Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association ...
AAA predicts jump in Labor Day travel from 2009Dekalb Daily Chronicle
Labor Day travel forecastWink News
Labor Day travel to rise by 9.9 percentAltoona Mirror
UK Today News -ThatsFamous (blog) -Brandon Valley Challenger
all 271 news articles »


Glenbrooke News

Recognize Labor Day locally
Oneonta Daily Star
"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country. All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with ...
Labor Day and May Day share American rootsHULIQ
Honoring the American workforceCatskill Daily Mail
Recommended: Top 10 events shaping the midterm seasonmsnbc.com (blog)
Co.Design -Gainesville Sun
all 193 news articles »


WHMI

AAA Says Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel Forecast to be Up 10%
WDEF News 12
The Automobile Association of America says says travel is forecast to be up for the Labor Day holiday weekend. The organization expects 34.4 million people ...
More people will be on move during Labor Day weekendReno Gazette Journal
Party Time! Americans Traveling, Spending More This Labor DayTonic
Gas prices up this Labor Day over lastAlton Telegraph
South Carolina Now
all 305 news articles »


The State

State agencies promote safe, sensible holiday weekend
Chillicothe Gazette
According to the patrol, the Labor Day holiday weekend is traditionally one of the deadliest holidays on state roads. Last year during the holiday reporting ...
FHP Labor Day Crackdown Helps Keep You AliveCBS 4
Troopers out in full force: Highway patrol prepares for Labor Day weekend ...The Morning Journal
Police out in force for Labor Day weekendThe Commercial Dispatch
Sun-Sentinel
all 246 news articles »


Guest Column: High Holidays right on time
Cuyahoga Falls News Press
Almost every Jewish person I talk with mentions that the High Holidays seem so early this year. ...
Broadcast new yearWinnipeg Free Press

all 3 news articles »


Reminder: Post Offices Observe Labor Day Holiday
WGCL Atlanta
ATLANTA -- Atlanta-area Post Offices will be closed on Monday, September 6, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. There will be no regular mail delivery, ...
Most Denver city offices closed Friday, MondayDenver Business Journal

all 68 news articles »


Live Trading News

US Retail Sales Top Estimates on Tax Holidays, Discounts
Bloomberg
Photographer: Jack Plunkett/Bloomberg US retailers reported August sales that beat analysts' estimates as back-to-school discounts and tax holidays lured ...
US Retailers' Sales Beat Estimates on Tax HolidaysBusinessWeek

all 10 news articles »


The Virginian-Pilot

Labor Day is Monday. Will you work or play?
The Virginian-Pilot
We like holidays. That's when we catch up on paperwork. The phone doesn't ring, and we don't have to go to court. I lock myself up in my office and don't ...

and more »


Britons 'use credit' for holidays
The Press Association
Including those who pay for holidays with credit cards, 28% used borrowed money for their breaks, the poll by travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk found. ...

and more »

Google News

Home | Site Map

© 2006