Holiday overindulgence can be reined in

In last week’s column, I discussed some of the symptoms of holiday seasonal stress and the groups of people who are especially prone to this problem.

In today’s column I would like to talk about some of the ways that holiday seasonal stress can be reduced.

Two of the chief culprits include over indulgence and over commitment. Excessive eating and the possible weight gain it brings, concerns many people. They fear that exposure to food on festive occasions will undermine their will power and result in a gain of an extra 5 to 10 lb or even more during the holiday season. These individuals know that after the holiday season has passed, losing these pounds will be difficult. Over indulgence in alcoholic beverages is also a grave concern to many people. As soon as Christmas decorations go up, advertisers begin promoting beer, wine, and spirits with a passion. Many social gatherings at this time of the year include alcoholic beverages and those at risk for substance abuse may find maintaining sobriety more difficult than at other times of the year. Another worry is the compulsive need to over-spend. Feeling the need to remember everyone with an expensive gift can cause a financial deficit in January.

Next there is the behavior of over-commitment. Many people try to do too much, go to too many Christmas parties, attend too many holiday functions, and practice other behaviors that rob them of energy and promote fatigue. Setting healthy boundaries and limits is essential during this time of the year.

Avoid perceiving the holiday season as a large block of time during which external demands alter establish patterns of thinking and behavior that have been effective in maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Instead, let the holidays punctuate rather than dominate this time of the year. Effectiveness and balance can be maintained without being a bah-humbugger.

Establish priorities, plan ahead, say no when necessary and prudent. Don’t be swept away by a tide of excesses and over-indulgence. Budget your finances, time and diet. Emerging from the holidays with fewer extra pounds, debts and fatigue will give you a better start for the New Year.

Finally, don’t attempt to produce a “storybook” Christmas. Remember, you can’t please everyone or have everything go smoothly all the time. Occasional friction, frustration and disappointment are to be expected and can more easily be dealt with by those who don’t have lofty, perfectionistic expectations for the holidays.

Seek the spirit of the season rather than the things of the season. Frequently remind yourself what it is that you want to remember and celebrate these things rather than what the media and Madison Avenue promotes and encourages. Take time to reflect on the symbols that make this time of year special. Embracing the true spirit of the holidays can put most other things into the proper prospective.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 2001