Fun Holiday Stress Reducers!

Stress release can come in many forms but
thanks to https://www.stressmanagementblog.com here are some fun and funny ways to deal with stress!
Holidays are great, but holidays are also great stress producers. That’s why we offer a few funny holiday stress reduction tips.

1. Stress Management Games – Offline

A stress management game can boost spirits and reduce holiday stress rapidly. Admittedly, some counselors do not support competition in your efforts to relieve stress. There can be stress of competition in a game, but that is eustress, or good stress. Eustress overcomes bad stress – distress. So competition itself can be beneficial if used in a light manner.

Funny holiday story. This stress management game will help all of you as long as you keep it going and refuse to put down any player. The first begins the story with a single sentence. Example: “Once upon a time, there was a funny holiday called _______.” The next person adds the name of the funny holiday and adds another sentence. Keep taking turns until the story reaches some conclusion – or everyone is ready to stop.

Funny picture puzzle. Involve two or more people in assembling an amusing picture puzzle. Technically not a stress management game, a puzzle can turn your thoughts away from holiday stress. For a group, set up two puzzle tables, with a group at each one. The stress management game feature here is that the first group to find 25 pieces will be served refreshments by the other group. Eustress will kick in, and happiness will take over.

2. Stress Management Games – Online

Online games can be a great way to reduce stress. Steer clear of addictive games, though, which are not stress management games. Draining time from your schedule, addictive games actually create more stress. The following are a few stress management games we like:

Gardenmaker. Create your own flower, funny or beautiful. Create a whole garden of holiday flowers. This stress management game can be played while you “take five” and will leave you more relaxed. At zefrank.com
Kaleidoscope. Build your own funny holiday kaleidoscope, piece by piece, and watch it become more stunning as you go. Moving kaleidoscope shows each addition as you work. Let the children try this stress management game and you all will reduce stress! At zefrank.com

Webhangman. Click on the letters and guess the words. All of the answers are related to stress and stress management. When you answer correctly, this stress management game rewards you with colorful fireworks.
Ideally, a stress management game will be light-hearted, with little competition. Such stress management games will call forth eustress, which produces happiness. Eustress will reduce your holiday dis-stress.

Are you a candidate for HOLIDAY STRESS?

Take this quiz to find out if you are a candidate to experience stress this season.

Instructions:

Answer True or False to each of these questions to develop a sense of how you will be impacted by the holidays.

Give yourself 1 point for each false statement.

  1. I look forward to the holidays with genuine pleasure most of the time.
  2. I know how to set a budget for holiday gifts and stick with it.
  3. Christmas shopping and spending a lot of money on my family and friends are not the most important part of this season.
  4. I am able to be very realistic about what to expect from myself over the holidays.
  5. I am very realistic of what I can expect from others over the holidays.
  6. I have a partner to celebrate the holidays with me.
  7. My partner and I get along well and enjoy each other’s company.
  8. My partner and I work well as a team most of the time.
  9. I have family that I enjoy spending time with over the holidays.
  10. My family likes and appreciates me.
  11. My in-laws (and/or step-family) like and appreciate me.
  12. I have close friends that I enjoy spending time with over the holidays.
  13. I take part in some comforting and pleasant holiday rituals and look forward to them every year.
  14. Getting approval is not very important to me.
  15. I know healthy ways to cope if I start to feel overwhelmed.
  16. I have ways of giving to others in my community.
  17. I am not overly scheduled and have a pretty good balance of work, fun and relaxation.
  18. I know how to say “no”.
  19. I am able to schedule “down” time for myself on a regular basis.
  20. I eat healthily, drink alcohol moderately or not at all and get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily.

Give yourself 2 points for each false statement.

  1. I am not providing care for any ill or disabled family member.
  2. I have not had any major losses over the last 2 years.
  3. I have enough money to cover my basic needs.
  4. I had a reasonably happy childhood with fond memories of the holidays.
  5. I am never affected by the “Holiday Blues”.
  6. My health, physically, mentally and emotionally is good.

Scoring:

1 or 2 points. Good for you. You have a reasonable level of stress and, with healthy self awareness and self care, you should be able to really enjoy this time.

3-4 points. You are clearly a candidate for burning out over the holidays. Talk over your situation with someone you can count on to be a good sounding board or offer simple and specific advice for how to relax and enjoy this time.

5 or more points. Think seriously about what you can do to change your situation, if possible. Put out the red flag and wave it.

Think about who you can call on to be there for you? Decide what do you need to do to get support and relief? Muster your courage or let down your guard and ask for help.