| Do you know how stressful the holidays can get? | | | | professional help if you are experiencing sadness |
| The words joy and peace are often associated | | | | and anxiety during the holiday season. |
| with the holidays. However, the season often | | | | 7. You have gained 5 pounds by December 2. |
| becomes a source of frustration. Read on to | | | | People frequently gain weight during the holidays. |
| discover the top ten signs of holiday overload and | | | | Try eating a light snack, such as fruits and |
| how to find the right balance. | | | | vegetables, before going to a party. High calorie |
| 1. You cannot throw out the fruitcakes in your | | | | food may not be as tempting if you are not |
| house because they are your relatives. | | | | hungry. |
| Sometimes balancing the demands of your | | | | 8. Your wife comes to bed every night wearing |
| extended family can be impossible. You may have | | | | musical reindeers. |
| to do what is best for your own family, and stop | | | | Christmas brings out the child in some people. You |
| worrying about making everyone happy. | | | | may have to get your own reindeer shirt and join |
| 2. Your credit card is at your spending limit. | | | | the party. |
| You do not have to spend a lot of money to | | | | 9. You look forward to December 26 because |
| have a great Christmas. Set a spending limit and | | | | you too tired to enjoy Christmas. |
| stick to it. The warmth of spending time with | | | | Simplify your holiday celebration. There was one |
| your family is what makes the holidays special. | | | | busy Christmas when we were not looking |
| 3. You wake up in the morning singing "Grandma | | | | forward to our usual preparations. Instead we |
| Got Ran Over By a Reindeer". | | | | bought a small tree and put a few ornaments on |
| Enough said. | | | | it. We still have warm memories of that simple |
| 4. You are ready to shoot the next dancing Santa | | | | Christmas. |
| you see. | | | | This is a good time to examine your expectations |
| Find positive ways to relieve your stress. You | | | | and activities. You may find yourself enjoying the |
| may need to take a break and find time for | | | | season more by doing less. |
| yourself. | | | | 10. You have been so busy that you have not |
| 5. You have five Christmas parties this week. | | | | spoken to your spouse in the last 24 hours. |
| Celebrating the holidays with friends and family | | | | Sometimes you are so busy with all the holiday |
| can be fun and exciting. However, it is easy to | | | | hustle and bustle that you neglect your marriage |
| get overbooked. Be realistic about your schedule. | | | | relationship. The holidays should be a time to |
| 6. You are having a "Blue Christmas". | | | | celebrate relationships, including your marriage. The |
| For most people, the holidays are a time of joy | | | | season can be a romantic one if just you take |
| and celebration. However, for some people is it a | | | | the time to focus on each other. |
| difficult time of the year. You may benefit from | | | | |