How to Turn Holiday Overwhelm Into Delight

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  The lights are twinkling, the hot cocoa is poured, and you’re cozied up to a warm fireplace with your loved ones.

For many, this is a season of family, laughter, and celebration. But, it’s also a time of year that can get even the jolliest of us stressed out. And unique to Christmas 2020 is having to navigate the holidays amidst a health crisis…one that we could have never imagined.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed this December, you aren’t alone. Over 60% of adults reported feeling stressed during the holiday season – and that’s without a pandemic happening!

 

What Is Overwhelm?

Overwhelm happens when a person believes that their stressors are more than they can manage. You’re more likely to be overwhelmed by negative emotions, like anxiety, fear, or anger. And because a number of factors can spark these feelings, it becomes quite difficult to understand the exact source of the stress.

When this happens, what should you do? Here are a few tips to get you through the overwhelm so you can enjoy the things worthy of celebrating. 

 

Take Mental Breaks

When you’re in the midst of a tense time, it’s difficult to see anything else beyond the feeling of overwhelm, mounting work pressure, or the mountain of tasks that need to get done. It can often feel like you’re trying to triage your way through your to-do list until you get a chance to catch your breath.

Whenever you feel that survival mode kicking in, pause. 

Take a couple of deep breaths. Nice, long, deeeeeep breaths. Pause for a few seconds to create enough space between you and the situation to reflect and regain valuable perspective.

 

Avoid the “What If?”s

The parties, the dinners, the presents – every part of the holidays feels like an unknown this year. In these times, it’s tempting to dwell on the “What if?”

What if someone gets sick or we’re unable to travel?

What if there’s family drama…again?

What if we don’t have enough money to buy gifts for the kids?

“What if?” statements heap fuel on the fire of worry and tension. The more time you spend worrying about what could happen, the less time you have for what’s actually in front of you. This includes the actions you could take to help you stay calm and keep your stress levels at bay.

Whenever those nagging “What if?”s start to creep in, acknowledge what’s going on. See how you can turn those thoughts around into positive statements:

Let’s have an amazing time together on Christmas Day – and maybe even start a new tradition!

I’m looking forward to family time that’s full of laughter and joy.

We’re creative. We can purchase the perfect gifts without spending a ton of money.

Reframing is key when it comes to addressing those negative thoughts!

 

Make Time To Laugh

In the height of holiday planning, it’s easy to forget to carve out time for fun and laughter. 

Laughter is an amazing form of stress relief and provides a number of short and long-term benefits

In fact, laughter:

  • Increases your intake of oxygen, stimulates your heart, and boosts endorphins.
  • Calms down your stress response, causing a relaxed feeling.
  • Improves your immune system, can function as a natural painkiller and can lessen depression or anxiety.

So, next time you find yourself tensing up, find a funny YouTube video, look up a funny joke, or scroll through some of your favorite knee-slapping photos. Better yet – prepare them in advance so you don’t have to search for them in the moment.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

While you may not be able to control everything happening around you, you can influence and control what goes on inside your head. 

In a year that’s been quite the challenge, there’s still much to be grateful for. So, no matter what comes your way, commit to focusing on enjoying and cherishing the people around you. Try out one of the above ideas this holiday season, and may each moment be filled with joy.

 

 

Happy Patients

I have had back issues most of my life. Since starting treatments with Dr Greg I have had no more issues. It's such a relief to be able to be physical at the high level I want to be. I am able to maintain wellness by seeing Dr Greg on a regular basis. Thank you Dr Greg!!

Michael L.

Hello! I just want to say that you are truly a healer! After leaving your office last Monday, I was more able to breathe, truly breathe - after having suffered all weekend to take a deep breath due to a "rib out of place" OK - if you say so....all I know is that, though I continued to have a bit of pain in my upper back and neck for a day or two, I could take wonderful, glorious deep breaths thanks to your treatment. Thanks again for all you do! Even if I do make many sound affects while you are treating me - "OUCH!!! Hmmmph!! Ughhh!! Really???" I truly appreciate your healing touch....

MMW

I have had Parkinson's Disease for 8 years.  I have developed arthritis in my back and hips. The stiffness of the Parkinson's and the arthritis has caused me a lot of pain. Because of that unrelenting pain I was unable to exercise. Exercise is an important part of pain management for Parkinson's.  Since I have been seeing Dr. Krapf I am feeling much better and his care has allowed me to begin exercising again, which has improved my overall well being. In the past I have been treated by physical therapists and orthopedists. Dr. Krapf's chiropractic manipulations have had an amazing impact on my health and happiness. I highly recommend Dr. Krapf to anyone who needs excellent chiropractic care and the many alternative therapies he offers. I would say he is magical!

When my friend received excellent care from Dr. Krapf, she recommended him to me. I have had gastrointestinal problems for nearly 50 years that have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease with lactose intolerance. All that, including unrelieved stress had made me unhappy and unhealthy. Today I am a different person with the help of Dr. Greg. The Gastro issues are practically nonexistent, my stress levels have plummeted, and my body is changing. I am so grateful for Dr. Greg and his healing hands.

Mary Ann L.

Our family have been patients of Krapf chiropractic for a few decades. We have several success stories archived. The most recent event involves our youngest son who is completing his senior year of high school. He has been a patient of Krapf Chiropractic (KCA) since birth. He has been an avid soccer player since the age of four and has sustained numerous injuries over the years. Dr. Krapf has successfully assisted in every recovery.

Most recently, he began complaining of his feet hurting while playing soccer. Both feet hurt - particularly the balls of his feet while running and cutting. He came to Dr. Greg with his complaint as this was seriously affecting his game. Dr. Greg evaluated the situation and decided a foot scan should be done. The finding was dropped arches. My son was fitted for orthotics. They arrived within days and he wore these as directed. Within a few short weeks he is now playing full games pain free.

SC

I first called Krapf Chiropractic when my back was so bad that I couldn't get up off the floor. It's been a blessing to have Dr. Greg help me with my overall wellness and health! I find this to be a place where you are not a number and everyone cares. Mollie is always cheerful and reminds me to come. Erin is always smiling and helps relax me when I'm in pain. I would not be functioning if I did not have Krapf Chiropractic to keep me going. As I get older my appreciation deepens, especially when I see people around me who are suffering with back problems. If they only knew how helpful this is. I believe Dr. Greg treats the person not the symptoms. Thank you

Debbie B.

I've been lucky to have exceptional health care from the beginning. At the beginning, seventy-six-plus years ago, Hugh Rodgers brought me into the world in mother and dad's second-floor bedroom in our dairy farm home. Hugh's son, Hugh, Jr., practiced with his dad and beyond caring for my parents, he, also, cared for hundreds of others and me. Roughly forty years ago, a friend suggested I make an appointment with Richard Krapf for help with back-pain. Richard treated the pain that, often, was debilitating, and on Richard's death, his son, Greg became the second second generation to help me from one place to another. I'm grateful to Hugh, Hugh, Richard and, perhaps, most of all, to Greg.

N.C.

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