Balancing Stress During The Holidays
Michelle Matthias
Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for the birds that sing
Thank you, Lord, for everything
In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
It’s been a year that has been marked by so many unprecedented events, but here we are. Welcome to the holiday season with all its blessings and its challenges.
Even without the unprecedented events of 2020, the holidays have always been challenging for many. While this season is meant to bring feelings of love and cheer, it’s also undoubtedly a time of great stress for many.
The bombardment of glitzy advertisements, the whirlwind of gift-giving, the holiday parties and activities, the decorating of homes, the family gatherings, the must-have purchases, and of course the overindulgence in food and drink can make it feel like we do not have a choice.
We have a choice every day in this life. We can live absorbed in worry and stress, on the fast track of busy, focused only on what surrounds us while tuned into the pace of the world.
Or, we can ask God to help us take our eyes off all that may be swirling around, our problems and challenges, our grief and pain, and the negative voices of others.
We can look up…to Him, the One who holds it all together, and who holds us in His hands and be intentionally grateful. Gratitude has holistic benefits. Gratitude has been proven in studies to be beneficial to our overall health and well-being. Having an attitude of gratitude helps to combat stress. Stress can dampen your holiday if your priorities are not in order.
So here are some suggestions on lowering your stress level as you navigate the holidays:
- Have reasonable and realistic expectations – unmet expectations cause disappointment.
- Focus on what you have rather than what you do not have, and be thankful – ….little is much if God is in it.
- Make a budget …and follow the budget – it’s like coloring within the lines.
- Do not let guilt push you beyond your comfort level – overextending yourself causes stress. Too many activities, even if they are fun activities, can result in too much holiday stress and leave us feeling frazzled, rather than fulfilled.
- Zoom in instead of Zoom out …see the little things because they matter.
- Keep a gratitude journal – Count your blessings. Find some time over the holidays to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for.
- Give thanks….be intentional about saying thank you to those who serve you…at the grocery store, etc….use your words to bless… a thank-you note.
- Give your loved ones a glimpse of your love – use your words. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with your family by writing and/or verbally expressing your enjoyment and appreciation for them.
- Plan intentionally – If you know that the holidays are going to be stressful, make sure you are scheduling some “me” time and carving out time for self-care.
- Pray – find time to pray. Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas is about hope, gratitude, faith, thanksgiving…none of which would be possible without Him.
- Finally and most importantly – focus on the reason for the celebration rather than the customs created to celebrate the occasion.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Empowerment Coach
Michelle Matthias
“Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for the birds that sing
Thank you, Lord, for everything
In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.”
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GMAC Media Technologies says:
It’s with Gratitude…I say Thanks for sharing!
– GMAC
Michelle Matthias says:
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Ava says:
I love this. Over the past few years I have kept a graditude journal and it has certainly helped me to always focus on the goodness of the Lord in my life instead of all the large debris in life’s path that can at times feel overwhelming. Thanks for sharing and encouraging an attitude of gratitude. May the Lord continue to bless you as you bless others.
Carolyn DaSilva says:
This message is so timely. I woke up this morning just giving God thanks for the air we breath, for a roof over our heads for good health…..We get so caught up with the hassle of the holidays but God wants us to stop and appreciate the little things in life. Keep sharing Michelle. It’s been a blessing.
Michelle Matthias says:
Thank you, Carolyn. I appreciate your comments.
Andy says:
Christmas has become so commercialized that we often forget the true meaning of the Yuletide season. We are bombarded with clever advertisements about what Christmas should be and so we want our Christmas to mirror these advertisements. This can cause so much stress, financial as well as emotional… impacting our mood, causing feelings of depression & loneliness. It doesn’t & shouldn’t be this way. This article gives simple, pragmatic & cost effective/free ways to not succumb to the sadness & stress which tends to occur around this time.
Gratitude is mentioned numerous times in this piece. When we express gratitude, we begin to have joy, we shift our focus & we get endorphins. When we begin to count our blessings we see just how much we have & how far we’ve come.
Let’s put the suggestions, mentioned in the article, into practice & see how soon we begin to focus on our blessings & feel joyous. Let’s all focus on the true meaning of the season & not the materialistic things that bring temporary happiness. Our goal is to get lasting joy which only comes from God. Here’s to a wonderful, peaceful season….we made it this far by the grace of God. SALUD!!
Michelle Matthias says:
Thanks, Andy. I appreciate your consistent and encouraging comments.
TH says:
Thank you, Michelle, for this wonderful reminder to be grateful, even for the little things. If we’re honest, our attempt to endeavour to do everything over the holidays is to try and appease everyone, so that we appear golden (ie flawless) in the sight of others. Having an attitude of gratitude makes one pause, reflect and accept imperfections with the understanding that it is possible to still have peace and contentment, despite less than perfect circumstances.
Michelle Matthias says:
Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated.
Sheryl says:
Let’s count our blessings, name them one by one. Little is much when God is in it.
Amen to a powerful piece of advice.
Blessings
Michelle Matthias says:
Thanks, Cheryl. Much appreciated. Your comments have been consistent and encouraging.
Sharon Croft says:
Thanks for this message, Michelle.
The easiness and familiarity of the prayer you opened with really set the tone for your message. I said that prayer as a child and it reminded me of a simpler time. Christmas should be a time when we reflect and give thanks, this year especially.
My family and I are thankful that God has provided for and protected us despite all we see happening in our midst. The pandemic restrictions have forced most to dial-down the hustle and bustle of the season. I’m grateful to see so many turning to Christ and hope in years to come when things start to normalize that we all remember if we have God we have more than enough!