Stop Stress Before Suffering Starts

Stress in our daily lives often feels like walking a tightrope. The holidays can add even more tension that intensifies that feeling.

Stress can compound problems and overwhelm us. Unless we have the tools to stop it, stress can lead to anger and potentially lead us to lash out at our children, emotionally and/or physically.

The Seminole County Child Abuse Prevention Task Force and The Children's Cabinet want you to know that help is there, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Before that stress reaches a boiling point:

* Call 211  (trained professionals are there to help and callers can be anonymous)

* Text your zip code to 898-211

* Chat by logging on to www.HFUW.org and clicking the link for 211

 

Visit these sites to find more tools to help with stress management:

For parents of children with special needs, from About Parenting:
Special Needs and Special Occasions: Making family gatherings good, not ghastly

From Health magazine:  25 Ways to Fight Holiday Stress

From the Mayo Clinic:  Stress, Depression and the Holidays: Tips for Coping

From Psychology Today:  6 Quick and Easy Mindfulness Tips to Combat Holiday Stress

From Women Fitness:  Top 10 to Combat Holiday Stress
According to the Mayo Clinic, the three main trigger points of holiday stress and depression are relationships, finances and physical demands. So, eat, drink and be active.

Relaxation tips from MD Anderson Cancer Center:  5-Minute Stress Relief

From Today's Dietician Health & Nutrition Center:  Fight Stress with Food

From the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):  What are the Holiday Blues?