Dealing with shopping stress

Dealing with shopping stress is nightmarish for everyone. As part of our series called Twelve tips to deal with Christmas stress we're going to look at a couple of tips to help us with shopping stress. These will be posted today and also tomorrow. (12/9/11)

Tip #1
Some survivors report feeling better overall when having a plan instead of just saying 'Mall, here I come'. Being in control is important.

Reduce your holiday shopping stress by planning the trip before you leave home. (Victims of domestic violence may benefit from a safety plan that is created with a local advocate.)

Plans can empower survivors and lessen the likelihood of forgotten items. In general, the plan can be written or not. Go with whatever works best for you. Reduce your shopping stress by thinking about which stores you want to visit. Think about where you want to have a snack or meal and plan a route. (Next...)

More on dealing with holiday shopping stress

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Tip #2

Survivors may also want to beat shopping stress by bringing a friend. This can make shopping more fun and less stressful. It's another person that you can laugh with and relax with.

Tip #3

Off hours can mean smaller crowds. Life Compassion Blog suggests calling the store to ask what time frame the recommend. It can be easier to get your shopping done in mid-week or in the morning. Plus, you may be able to snag that coveted parking spot near the door.

Sometimes beating shopping stress means looking online. Shop at Amazon or use a shopping portal. Grab a cup of chocolate, sit back and click away.

Check back tomorrow for on beating holiday shopping stress tips. Don't forget to share your own by leaving a comment or emailing us at hello@hopeforhealing.org.

Journaling may help reduce Christmas stress

Christmas stress reduction for survivors. Tip #3 is Journaling.

According to About.com, journaling can be a way to alleviate stress. Many survivors keep journals about our experiences. Now it seems that this effort can play a role in stress reduction.

It is generally thought that detailed writing that puts our innermost feelings on paper is helpful. Some survivors find that even the act of jotting down a few quick thoughts can help. After all, during the Christmas rush it's hard to find time to bear our souls.

A few quick sentences can help us regain perspective and give us the break that we need for Christmas stress reduction. Some things are more important than wrapping paper and bows. Journaling can be a way for us to slow down and focus on what we value most.

This article is one a series. Click here to view the first article on Twelve Ways to Reduce Christmas Stress.

Twelve tips to deal with Christmas stress

Few people are under more stress than survivors of sexual or domestic violence. For the next few days we are going to highlight twelve ways to deal with Christmas stress. One tip is going to be posted each day. Nothing works for everyone. The best stress reduction techniques are those that work for your lifestyle and personality.

Stress reduction tip #1 - Breathe

Go into another room, bathroom, outside or wherever you feel comfortable. Simply take a minute to take a good solid deep breath, let it out and do it again. Notice how you feel. Doing this a few times can help you reduce stress and feel more in control. 

The Stress Institute says that we tend take shallow breaths when we feel overwhelmed. They suggest that taking a moment to breathe may help strengthen the immune system and cardiopulmonary system. It can also clear our minds. All of this can potentially help survivors of sexual or domestic violence feel better and reduce stress.

Click here for the next article on reducing stress...