On that first Christmas, the host of angels spoke about peace on earth and good will toward men. Today, Christmas is more likely to be a time of strife and conflict instead of peace and good will.
Stress has a lot to do with it, both the good stress and the bad stress of the holidays. Children are literally vibrating with excitement about the holidays and they don’t talk, they squeal. Excitement is good stress. You’re probably worried about how you’re going to get everything done before Christmas. And on Christmas Day, how much time do you spend worrying about whether the turkey will be fully cooked on time. Worry is bad stress.
When you add the good stress and bad stress from the holidays to the high levels of stress we usually experience these days, that’s a heavy stress load for anyone to carry. When we’re under stress:
- We focus on what’s stressing us. When we’re worried, that’s all we think about, and we can miss all the good things going on around us.
- Our language skills deteriorate. We can easily blurt out the wrong thing, and it’s easy to misunderstand what someone says.
- Our social skills deteriorate. We don’t get along with others as well as we usually do.
So how do you deal with all this stress? Stop. Look. And listen.
- STOP. Take a deep breath. A really deep breath. That triggers the relaxation response.
- LOOK. Look at a picture that puts a smile on your face: someone you love or something that reminds you of a happy event. Put it where you’ll see if often. Or watch a movie/dvd/tv show that makes you laugh.
- LISTEN. As you go about your work, put on some music that makes you feel good. Lighten the load. Every now and then, sit down and have a cup of tea while you listen to the music. Even better: sing along with your favourite songs.
Now the good will part. When you remember that other people are probably just as stressed-out as you are, it’s easier to give them the benefit of the doubt when they blurt something out. It’s easier to give them a break because you understand their stress.
Be kind. Give them a compliment (“Well done” or “I like your new hairstyle”). Say thank you; let them know that you appreciate what they’ve done for you. Give someone a smile — it will not only give them a lift, they will smile back, and you will get a lift from them.
Practical Peace. Stop and take a deep breath. Look at something that makes you smile. Listen to your favourite music, and sing along if you like.
Good will. Be kind. Give a compliment. Say thank you. Give someone a smile. All are free to give.
May you, your friends and family have a Merry Christmas filled with practical peace and good will.
