By Fletcher Eaton, M.A.
Manager of the Employee Assistance Program
The holidays aren’t always just happy. They’re busy and stressful and maybe even a little sad too. If you find yourself rushing through this holiday season, checking off your to-do list, immersed in grief or simply overwhelmed by stress, you are not alone.
Nearly eight in 10 Americans report feeling increased stress over the holiday season. Almost a third say their physical and mental health worsen between the months of November and January, according to a Sleepopolis study.
But there is hope for managing everything the holidays bring. Here are some practical tips to keep in mind:
Don’t let this holiday season cause you to feel fear and dread. Be proactive and take steps to prepare for the potential flood of sadness, grief and stress. Instead, grasp onto the hope, joy and peace of this holiday season.
“Hope is willing to leave unanswered questions unanswered and unknown futures unknown. Hope makes you see God’s guiding hand not only in the gentle and pleasant moments but also in the shadows of disappointment and darkness.” - Henri Nouwen
Lisa Moreno-Walton, M.D., M.S., MSCR, is the first tenured faculty hired in emergency medicine, the first to have previously served as an associate dean, and the first with an extensive track record of extramurally funded research.
“As a pediatrician, I always approach the family as if they were my family and the child as if they were my child. It’s a no-judgment zone, and I want them to be able to make the best decisions for their care,” said Carey McDade Hancock, M.D.
“For many families, and even service providers, they may not know where to start when looking for resources for their child or loved one diagnosed with autism or some other developmental disability,” said Michelle McDaniel.
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