Holiday Stress Coping: grow your personal skills this holiday season

Before you spend this holiday season stressed out over money, relatives and family, jobs, and eating, consider slowing your stress down. You can gain valuable personal insights if you first take a few moments to prepare yourself.

This video demonstrates how people are affected by the holidays, which problems are stressful, and how to cope:



Here are more helpful tips for making this season one of personal growth and development:

Consume Less-
Making a conscious decision to consume less can have enormous positive effects on your soul. Eating less, buying less, and using less gives you peace, and a healthy "sense of place" in the world. You feel grateful for what you have, which makes you feel a deeper sense of peace. Your bank account will thank you, too, which then will ease financial stresses.
If feeling more peaceful weren't enough, a huge benefit of lighter consumption is Knowing that You Didn't Gain Weight over the Holidays! Maintaining your usual weight, or even losing weight, will leave you with reduced stress and more self-confidence. Amidst all the food and gluttony, take a stand and consume less.
Consider reviewing this article and video about an English man who is taking a light-consumption attitude:
http://higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com/2008/11/food-and-eating-holidays-skew.html

Get Outdoors-
Being outside will always lift your spirits. Listening to birds chirping, feeling a breezy wind, watching snow fall, or hearing a trickling stream can have a magical, calming effect on your soul. Nature instills peace.
Also, outdoor activities, like playing in your local park, can be free or inexpensive. Instead of stressing about buying movie tickets for the whole family, plan some time outdoors.