The De-Cluttering Diva

How to Stay Stressed During the Holiday Season

December 3, 2008 at 6:46 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

How to Stay Stressed During the Holiday Season

 

‘Tis the season to be jolly.  And yet many of us spend this time of year racing around trying to accomplish all the tasks we’ve set out for ourselves.  Baking, shopping, wrapping, seeing every family member you haven’t seen for the rest of the year.

 

As the holiday season approaches, I have compiled a list of action items to help you stay stressed.   Feel free to have a giggle as you read through these.

 

1. Don’t exercise.  If the item you want is not within easy reach of your La-Z-Boy, it’s not worth having.

 

1. Eat junk food. Related to this point – skip meals.  Especially breakfast.  Learn to LOVE that shaky, crying, everybody-done-me-wrong adrenaline rush you get from having low blood sugar. That festive feeling really kicks in after your body has used up every last calorie and nutrient it has stored.

 

1. Say yes to everything.  The PTA is having a bake sale?  Tell them you’ll contribute eight dozen cinnamon buns (a lovely labour-intensive treat).  The local ladies’ auxiliary wants you to volunteer to wrap presents?  Grab your band-aids and go!

 

1. Lose your sense of humour.  Notice the negatives in every situation you encounter.  Make sure to share these observations with everyone around you.

 

1. Keep your cell phone, PDA, Blackberry and pager on at all times.  Be prepared to answer their insistent beeps at the drop of a hat.

 

1. Set really, really high standards for everything.  If it can’t be done perfectly, don’t do it at all.

 

1. Take all comments made by others personally.  Of course it’s about you. 

 

1. Tell your friends you’re much too busy to see them.  Anyone who’s ever been emotionally supportive for you will stick around and be available when you decide you’ve got time. 

 

1. Avoid those practices that are nothing more than ethereal woo-woo.  Yoga, meditation, walking quietly in nature, savouring a cup of tea.

 

1. Do it all yourself.  You’ll be able to finish everything by yourself because you’ve cut out non-necessities like exercise, eating and fun.