Holidays can be overhwelming, so take some time for yourself!

If you thought the stress of Thanksgiving dinner was over, brace yourself. It is just beginning. The stress of the holiday season can be overwhelming. In addition to the shorter days, less sun exposure, and holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, and the additional stress of the season change added to your list of things to do, you still have regular "stuff" going on. How do you balance all the day to day routines with all the special events? And  do you have to attend every party invitation?

Time is in high demand but the Women's Well~Being Circle want to remind you, there is only one of you. You are a valuable and important part of many lives, especially your family and those you may support in work, business, and church. If you don't take care of you, who will?

The Women's Well~Being Circle have a great event planned for December. We hope you can drop through our upcoming events and share in some upcoming circle time. In the meantime, please read over these tips from the American Psychological Association for dealing with holiday stress.

Here are some tips to help deal with holiday stress:

Set expectations. Talk to your kids about expectations for gifts and holiday activities. Be open with them if money is an issue. Depending on a child's age, parents can use this as an opportunity to teach their kids about the value of money and responsible spending. And be realistic. Take small concrete steps to deal with holiday tasks instead of overwhelming yourself with goals that are too far reaching for a busy time.

Keep things in perspective. Try to consider stressful situations in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing events out of proportion. And teach your kids how to keep things in perspective, including what type of and the number of gifts they receive.

Make connections. Good relationships with family and friends are important. So, view the holidays as a time to reconnect with people. Additionally, accepting help and support from those who care about you can help alleviate stress. Even volunteering at a local charity with your kids is a good way to connect with others, assist someone in need and teach your kids about the value of helping others.

Take care of yourself. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings during the holiday season. Engage in activities that you and your family enjoy and find relaxing. Taking care of yourself helps keep your mind and body healthy and primed to deal with stressful situations. Consider cutting back television viewing for kids and instead, get the family out together. It promotes activity and takes kids away from sedentary time and possible influence from advertisements.

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Use the comment section below to share how you take care of yourself. We may share your tips with women at an upcoming Women's Well~Being Circle event.

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