Feel It!

It's Almost That Time of Year Again

Seasonal Stress

by Janie Emaus (Thu Sep 24, 2009)

Take a deep breath - and vote quickly on PRG's poll about Seasonal Stress. Then relaaaaaax, and enjoy Janie's article!

I hate to mention this, but in the not-too-distant future we are going to turn the clocks back and gain an extra hour. Now, while all this is well and good, I don't think it's nearly enough. How about gaining an extra hour every week or how about every single day? Why, with the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays coming upon us like a speeding train, who couldn't use a little extra time?

Guy Fawkes, and the ghosts and goblins of Halloween all pounce upon us at summer's end, and before they are tucked safely away, it's time to trim the Christmas tree, dust off the cookbooks, and e-mail seasonal wishes to everyone you've ever known.

Not to mention queueing up to buy your kids that ‘have-to-have' iPod they've been talking about for the past few months, your husband that made-to-order golf club and your mother that book by her favorite author.

Add to this the anticipation of the big family dinner. You know the one where everyone knows a secret about Uncle Bill, but no one is allowed to say it out loud. Until, of course, Great Aunt Gertie has too much sherry and brings it up. And then all hell breaks loose.

Where you ponder for days over what to wear because this year you're going to give your cousin's sleazy husband something to leer at, but then you don't want to give Grandma Linda a heart attack.

Shopping, cooking, waiting, rushing.

All this culminates with the one thing we could easily do without: Stress.

How ironic is it that the time of the year when everyone should be giving out love and joy, often drives us to that extra glass of wine or one Prozac too many?

Or maybe not. Perhaps this year we can relieve our stress by talking it out with each other online.

At 2:00 am when you can't sleep because your brain won't stop worrying, just won't shut down, instead of taking an extra sleeping pill which will leave you groggy until noon the next day, you can get on the Internet and communicate with other women who are experiencing the same feelings.

You may still be tired but you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're not alone.

What do you think?

PRG is taking a poll on Seasonal Stress. Please click here and cast your vote.

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Dorrie L

Posted Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 2:06 am Reply Delete

This is right on the money. It's like starting Oct. 15 and ending Jan. 2 should be renamed Your Own Private Purgatory. I mean, really, is anything in anyone's life really worse than the holiday season? Even if you are in denial and love all your relatives? Report Abuse

Working Mum

Posted Sun Sep 27, 2009 at 5:16 pm Reply Delete

Already stressing about Christmas because I have the added pressure of it being the busiest time of year for concerts. And singing in a choir is supposed to be my relaxing thing! Report Abuse

Terry

Posted Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 10:59 pm Reply Delete

Holidays are so much fun. But, yes the stress!!! Well said. Report Abuse

Janie Emaus

Posted Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 10:37 pm Reply Delete

Yana - I think the more we do, the more we feel the stress. But how can we not be busy? It's in our nature. Report Abuse

Yana Berlin

Posted Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 8:49 pm Reply Delete

Lately, I find myself stressed out year around Report Abuse

Janie Emaus

Posted Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 12:25 pm Reply Delete

Linda - You got that right. And Pam, it does sneak up on you, doesn't it. Dawn - I'm wishing you the best this holiday season. Report Abuse

Pam

Posted Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 10:05 am Reply Delete

I'm right there with you, Janie! There are so many things you WANT to do this time of year, because it's "the most wonderful time of the year!", but we all lead such busy lives, it's hard. I think stress sneaks up on you, you think you have it all under control and then, suddenly, your snarling at that box of Christmas ornaments! Thanks for reminding me to try and chill out, just a little. :)) Report Abuse

Linda

Posted Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 2:58 am Reply Delete

To me, stress isn't seasonal. It just IS! Report Abuse

Dawn

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 6:46 pm Reply Delete

Hi Janie ! WOW Stress is the word for us when it comes to the hollidays anymore.We lost our dear daughter and dad not so long ago.All the sudden we have 7 grandkids we have to buy for.And theres not much income on disability ,so I dont know how we're going to swing it this yr.So yeah I'll be stressing,just not going to think about it for now,lol Report Abuse

Janie Emaus

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 5:54 pm Reply Delete

Anne - Wouldn't that be lovely. And I think we should be able to pick when we want that hour. SeasSon- Thanks for the compliment. Report Abuse

SeaSon

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 5:33 pm Reply Delete

this will be our first xmas as empty-nesters..... we shall see how little stress we will encounter. love the story Report Abuse

Anne

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 5:12 pm Reply Delete

I could definitely do with an extra hour every week for online chit-chat and work. Report Abuse

Janie Emaus

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 4:52 pm Reply Delete

Tracey - You can always swim off your stress! Report Abuse

Janie Emaus

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 4:39 pm Reply Delete

Ladies - Thanks for all your comments. I'm with you Dulwich-always brushing crumbs off my workspace! Report Abuse

Ann Marie

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 3:30 pm Reply Delete

Personally, I have no stress around the holidays. I have no extended family, so I only worry abotu my four kids. I don't worry about dinner or anything else. If you allow yourself to get stressed out by it all, shame on you. You have control over it, don't let it get out of hand! Report Abuse

Tina

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 3:09 pm Reply Delete

I find commenting on blogs to be fun and relaxing, but since I am also a blogger on other sites, sometimes coming up with topics add to my stress! But it's always fun to visit and comment here! Report Abuse

Toni

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 1:35 pm Reply Delete

Sometimes I'm glad that here in the US we have a humungous Halloween tradition, then Thanksgiving before we even have to think about Xmas. It's TOO early for anything to do with Xmas. Report Abuse

Dulwich Divorcee

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 12:59 pm Reply Delete

Oh dear. Wish I could say blogging makes me eat less. But I've just eaten a huge peanut butter doorstep sandwich at my desk, and I'm brushing crumbs out of the keyboard as I type .... Report Abuse

Tracey

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 12:52 pm Reply Delete

Well, I wish I could _not_ eat when I spend all my 'de-stressing' time online, but sadly I think I snack more. Janie, I think you hit the nail on the head with your comment about the irony factor. If you can point me in the direction of an online forum of other women who would also secretly like to cancel Christmas, I'd be eternally grateful. Report Abuse

Mel

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 12:16 pm Reply Delete

I'm more likely to turn to my laptop and scribble all my woes down, before wandering around the internet. And I wish I had the sort of blog where I could just 'blaaah', but I don't think that would fit its format! I agree with Caroline that online shopping is the way forward at Christmas, and perhaps also this Christmas some online therapeutic sharing?? Report Abuse

Sara Clear

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 11:44 am Reply Delete

Writing online is like Pringles for me. Once I start.. Except that I actually eat LESS when I'm online - all distracted from the fridge's temptations... hurrah! Report Abuse

Caroline

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 11:40 am Reply Delete

I think thank heavens for the internet! Buying online during December is the only way to go...no queues, no parking, no carrying anything, I love it. I try to go out and do some in person Christmas Shopping this time of year or a bit earlier (I buy for 40 - 50) and get it done, then can enjoy wrapping it all closer to Christmas without getting stressed out. And Blogging...it's fab! Report Abuse

Sarah Griffiths

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 11:34 am Reply Delete

Rather incredibly (and joyfully), I've actually lost weight blogging. I find that I'm more likely to turn to my computer to blog in the evenings, than turn to my previous soulmate, chocolate (raided, it has to be said, from my children's sweet jar). I'm amazed how quickly the blogosphere has become my ultimate sanctuary, tranforming me from thief into opinion former and friend. Report Abuse

Rachael

Posted Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 10:54 am Reply Delete

I find that writing online helps enormously with the stress. I am so much more honest (not rude, just honest) online than I feel I can be face-to-face. That in itself relieves some of the stress. Report Abuse