Lets face it, the holiday season is supposed to be a time of fun for everyone, but with that fun comes a lot of stress as well. Especially in todays economy, it is becoming increasingly harder to keep up with the kinds of traditions many families are used to. I know my Christmas mornings used to be filled with an abundance of presents, but that amount has steadily declined over the past few years. The commercials consumers put on the television never used to bother me, but are now starting to annoy me. I can imagine that kids must want all the new toys they see on television, which may cause parents even more stress. All in all I think that it is fair to say that many people are becoming very stressed over the pressures that affording presents during the holidays causes.
Family can be another major stress factor over the holidays. Many people feel obligated to impress their guests and keep them entertained for their entire stay. The truth is, a lot of people no longer have the money to fund all of the events that take place during the season. Most of the money used at this time of year is spent on presents. There simply is not enough money these days to spend on extra things such as family ice skating and movies. Especially when houses can have as many or more than 10 people in them. The costs can get astronomical when you consider that it costs over 100 dollars to take a family of ten to the movies. I feel as though the average amount of money a family spends quadruples over the holidays and this can lead to a much higher level of stress than normal.
I think the point I am trying to make here is that we all need to realize the holidays are about a lot more than just spending money. It is about spending time with family and appreciating the things we all have in our lives. We do not need to be spending the crazy amounts that we did when the economy was going great. I think half the problem is that families are trying to keep up the traditions they are used to, when what really needs to be done is finding new ways to entertain during these bad economic times.
There is no doubt in my mind that stress doubles over the holidays, but maybe if people start to realize that it is alright to have a light christmas, some of the stress will be relieved. Some fun ways to cut costs over the holidays is to have a secret santa. Instead of getting gifts for everyone you know, get a group of friends together and have each one pick a name. The name you pick is the one person you have to get a present for. This way, you are saving a ton of money and no one feels left out or bad if they cannot afford a friend a gift. Another way to cut costs is to have a potluck holiday dinner. Instead of the host providing all the food and drinks at a party, have every guest bring either an appetizer, main dish, desert, or drink. This will help save a lot of money on food. I hope these tips help!
I have to admit that over halfway through college semester, the stress is really getting to me. I feel like I no longer have time to do anything anymore. For weeks now, I have been having 1 or more big tests a week. It is hard, especially having more than one test on the same day. I am not a huge procrastinator, but I have often found myself staying up late studying all hours of the night for days at a time. I cannot express enough the toll it is taking on my body.
Something I have noticed that is becoming a common trend for me is the headaches I am getting due to stress. Since I am studying hours on end, and reading so much information it is rare that I do not end my day going to bed with a massive headache. Also, I have been breaking out. It is a known fact that stress plays a role in complexion, and I am definitely experiencing it.
If you have any suggestions on ways that you reduce school related stress please let me know!
Going away to college seems like all fun and games at first. You are out every night, meeting new friends, and loving being on your own. What at first seems like a great time quickly spirals into a mess of work, homesickness and exams, all while trying to maintain a fun social life. This is completely normal, but very stressful. Many college students suffer from stress and before you enter college or even another important year in high school, you need to be prepared with what may cause stress and how to keep it from getting under your skin.
Some major causes of stress include:
- academic stress
- social stress
- early classes
- late night studying
- independent living
Unfortunately, some people are unable to cope with these stressors which may have negative effects such as increasing drop out rates and weight gain. It is normal to feel stressed out when being involved in something as important as college which will ultimately determine what you are going to be doing with your life, but if the stress starts to get out of control, you should visit your doctor.
For tips on how to manage your stress visit: http://stress.about.com/od/studentstress/ht/schoolstress.htm
For some of us, it is very hard to understand what is so appealing about video games. Many people spend countless playing online games or sitting in front of an x-box all night. Well in a recent study, it has been shown that many people like gaming because it relieves stress. Here are some of the most common reasons people responded to when asked why they enjoy playing video games;
• 87% report playing games to improve mood
• 62% (of job seekers) play to de-stress while job hunting
• 59% play to forget worries or problems
• 44% report playing to keep their minds sharp
Whether or not gaming actually does reduce stress is the gamers opinion. president of WorldWinner and EVP of GSN Digital, Peter Blacklow, says, “When times are tough, the little victories go a long way. Our business is built around providing an affordable, engaging experience that’s a welcome break from everyday stressors like work or searching for a new job. Our players seem to agree: nothing motivates and entertains quite like the thrill of winning.”
To read more: http://www.bizreport.com/2009/08/study_gamers_gaming_to_relieve_stress.html
