Holidays can be stressful time for families

REGINA – Whether it’s buying gifts, making meals or spending time with family, the holiday season can be an extremely stressful time.

According to Family Service Regina, two of the top main stresses during the holidays include money issues and chaotic schedules.

“There’s a lot of pressure,” said Shellie Pociuk, CEO at Family Service Regina. “If we think about what we see in magazines, what we see on the internet, people want this ideal Christmas holiday and some of that is just not manageable.”

Feelings of anxiety can escalate quickly over the holidays, especially for people prone to an unhealthy amount of stress.

“Right now things are super stressful, trying to get everything together to make sure everything is set for Christmas,” said one shopper at the Toys “R” Us in Regina on Christmas Eve. “Being on a single income, things are a lot more expensive.”

One way to manage those feelings is to embrace the festivities and to focus less on what’s bothersome.

“It’s a matter of letting those things go and realizing that the memories you want to create are going to be the ones that you have that you can carry forward,” said Pociuk.

While gluttony and Christmas often go hand-in-hand, remaining physically healthy will help keep stress in check: “Eat right, exercise, take some time for yourself and take a break from it.”