We are heading towards the big three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah, and New Years. We have all seen the movies. You know the ones. The ones with scenes where there are mild, funny conflicts and then everyone makes up and there is a happy holiday ending. Wouldn’t it be great if life worked that way? I am not saying that holidays cannot be fun and happy. However, when families’ get together there is usually some element of drama and it can be stressful.

When expectations of a wonderful holiday are not fulfilled many of us are tempted to self medicate with food, alcohol and even drugs. That is why it is so important to learn productive ways to deal with holiday stress. Eating a healthy diet, exercise and deep breathing and meditation techniques help. Finding a funny movie as a diversion might take the edge off as well.

Life is rarely as bright and fun-filled as it seems in the movies or on television. We all have our “stuff“ regardless of how it looks from the outside looking in. That is something I have learned as a physician and the keeper of people’s secrets. Even those who look like they have everything, have issues.

Many people look to the holidays as the time when those issues may be resolved or at least put aside. If that does not happen and you find yourself upset, rather than reaching for the cookies when you feel family pressures go for a walk around the block. A quick trick is the 4-7-8 breathing method. Inhale for a count of 4 hold your breath for a count of 7 and then let it out for a count of 8. Do it for a cycle of three 4-7-8’s and you will find yourself calming down.

Stay healthy over the holidays by making positive choices when faced with stress. You will feel better and develop some good coping mechanisms to handle difficult situations now and in the future.