Once again the holiday season is upon us and it is entirely possible that sometimes we might feel that the spirit of giving is taking too much out of us. Despite its reputation as “the most wonderful time of the year,” the holiday season can have a serious effect on one’s health. For example, the stress of family visits can bring out anyone’s inner Grinch. Many of us become overwhelmed in trying to create the perfect holiday by doing everything for everyone. And, for some people, the pressure to be “jolly” and outgoing at an endless string of holiday parties can make them an anxious mess.
Each year, millions of Americans set themselves up for anxiety during the holidays. The biggest culprit? Trying to do everything for everybody. "Everybody goes into warp-drive starting after Thanksgiving," says Deborah Pearson, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School. "We stretch ourselves too thin with unrealistically high expectations of what we think the holidays ought to be like."
“During this season we idealize our experience — we imagine just how wonderful things should be," says Dr. Ann Saunders, a psychiatrist and associate professor with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School. "It should be beautiful, loving, with everyone getting along. But real life isn't always that fantastic. If your expectations are far too high, it can create a stressful situation."
Each year, millions of Americans set themselves up for anxiety during the holidays. The biggest culprit? Trying to do everything for everybody. "Everybody goes into warp-drive starting after Thanksgiving," says Deborah Pearson, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School. "We stretch ourselves too thin with unrealistically high expectations of what we think the holidays ought to be like."
“During this season we idealize our experience — we imagine just how wonderful things should be," says Dr. Ann Saunders, a psychiatrist and associate professor with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School. "It should be beautiful, loving, with everyone getting along. But real life isn't always that fantastic. If your expectations are far too high, it can create a stressful situation."
This year (before you move without leaving a forwarding address) take a deep breath. The holidays don't last forever. You can survive them. What if there was a solution to stress so simple that it involved nothing more than feeling thankful for the good things in your life? In fact, there is. That solution is called gratitude.
Studies have shown that people who regularly practice feeling thankful have a leg up when it comes to their health. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, has been a leading researcher in this growing field, termed “positive psychology.” His research has found that those who adopt an “attitude of gratitude” as a permanent state of mind experience many health benefits.
Your attitude plays a large role in determining whether you can feel grateful in spite of life’s challenges. According to Emmons, gratitude is defined by your attitude towards both the outside world and yourself. He suggests that those who are more aware of the positives in their lives tend to focus their attention outside of themselves.
Studies have shown that people who regularly practice feeling thankful have a leg up when it comes to their health. Robert Emmons, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, has been a leading researcher in this growing field, termed “positive psychology.” His research has found that those who adopt an “attitude of gratitude” as a permanent state of mind experience many health benefits.
Your attitude plays a large role in determining whether you can feel grateful in spite of life’s challenges. According to Emmons, gratitude is defined by your attitude towards both the outside world and yourself. He suggests that those who are more aware of the positives in their lives tend to focus their attention outside of themselves.
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