PUT HOLIDAY STRESS TO WORK!

Here we are, approaching Christmas, and some of us are stressing out already about gifts to buy, baking, preparing the house for guests and all the many details involved. For believers, the joy and significance of Christ’s birth make a great difference in how we look at the season. Our radio preacher friend Steve Brown once pointed out that, when you go to the mall to shop in the crowds, even non-believers are there for unselfish reasons—to buy presents for other people!
I found an article on the Canadian Health Network that gave a different approach—use holiday stress to work for you! The truth is that stress gives you a certain amount of energy. The trick is not to let the stress take over. So…

• Be realistic in your planning. Don’t try to pack so many tasks, activities and stuff into your schedule. After all, you still have all of your day-to-day things to accomplish.
• Try project management. Have a look at all the steps involved in your plans for a party, decorating, etc. before you jump in.
• Involve the family in planning and make it clear to each person what their responsibilities are—picking up certain gifts, helping with housecleaning, etc. If someone offers to bring a dessert to the dinner, take them up on it.
• Are there a couple of small things you could accomplish today that would lighten the load? Take care of them, and then congratulate yourself!
• Stick to a budget! Going over just ads to stress.
• Reach out to others—needy, lonely, especially those who may be spending their first Christmas without a loved one.
• Count your blessings.
• Keep a positive attitude and don’t wring your hands about what could go wrong.
• Do something nice for yourself! Take a break and enjoy a little pampering or something you’d enjoy doing.

NOVEMBER IS FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

The National Family Caregivers Association (website http://www.nfcacares.org) tells us that more than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member. Stress and the toll on the caregiver’s health are high. This website includes a wealth of information and resources for caregivers.

It is important for caregivers to reach out for help. Friends and other family members might assist by:
Running errands
Helping with household chores
Providing a meal
Carpooling young children or babysitting
Caregivers may feel guilty asking for help, so if you know a caregiver, see what you might be able to do for them. Sometimes just having someone to talk with and receive emotional support from is helpful. The caregiver should be encouraged to look after his or her own health, getting regular checkups and sufficient rest. Respite care, having someone come and stay with the ill family member for a few hours, may be available through a county agency. The caregiver who works should check out the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Most everyone in our Arizona church family is retired. In many cases, there are caregiver situations in which the caregiver is elderly and may have his or her own health problems. We must be alert to these situations so that we can offer support and encouragement as we can.