The holidays are upon us once again! We can oftentimes find ourselves juggling holiday shopping, cooking, cleaning and entertaining guests! Do not let STRESS be the grinch that not only your ruins holidays, but also damages your health. Being realistic, planning ahead, and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.

Did you know you have access to WebMD Health coaches with specialties in stress management? As always, connecting with a coach is a free, unlimited benefit to you! Regularly participating in coaching will put you one step closer to not only earning your gift card incentive, but also providing you with ongoing confidential stress management support.

Our coaches are available seven days a week at 855.667.2546.

Reminder: If you are participating in our STRESSLESS wellness challenge, be sure to log all of your progress here by December 17 for credit toward your gift card reward! If you’ve forgotten to log a day’s relaxation activity, it’s okay – you can go back and enter it now. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy holiday season!

All the Best,

Gwen Mahabir
There's No Denying Stress is a Part of Life
Although you cannot eliminate stress completely, it is possible to reduce its impact on your life.

Stress is a physical and psychological response to a demand, threat or problem. It stimulates you and increases your level of awareness.

The body's reaction to stress is called the "fight or flight" response. The response occurs whether the stress is positive or negative. Positive stress provides the means to express talents and abilities. But continual exposure to negative stress lowers the body's ability to cope in general.

Your signs of stress may be different from someone else's. Some people get angry. Others have trouble concentrating or making decisions. 

Declutter to Ease Stress
Check out these doable steps to help get rid of the mess.

When we’re extra busy, it’s easy for extra clutter to pile up too. We don’t have time to take care of the mess — so it sits and grows. It may not bother everyone. But for some of us it adds to our stress.

The thought of tackling it all at once may feel overwhelming — especially when you already have so much to do. So instead, take small doable steps as you can. 

Smartphone Use and Stress
Our devices are amazing — but they can lead to compulsive use.

Can you imagine life without your smartphone? For some of us, it’s the first thing we reach for in the morning and the last thing we put down at night.

At-our-fingertips technology is incredible and useful. But could you be too attached for your own good? It’s worth considering — particularly if compulsive phone use is affecting your life and relationships in a negative way.

Stress Tips for Parents 
It is natural for children to worry when scary or stressful events happen in their lives. 

Talking to your children about these events can help put frightening information into a more balanced setting. Monitor what children see and hear about stressful events happening in their lives. Here are some suggestions to help children cope:

  • Maintain a normal routine. Helping children wake up, go to sleep, and eat meals at regular times provide them a sense of stability. Going to school and participating in typical after-school activities also provide stability and extra support.

  • Talk, listen, and encourage expression. Create opportunities for your children to talk, but do not force them. Listen to your child’s thoughts and feelings and share some of yours.