Stress has always been a part of the Christmas story. Consider that very first Christmas – don’t you think Mary and Joseph were just a little bit stressed at having to travel cross-country to Bethlehem with Mary so far along in her pregnancy? And don’t you believe they were at least momentarily concerned about giving birth to their new son in a barn surrounded by farm animals?
If you are experiencing stress, remind yourself that it is normal to experience stress. It is a part of the human condition. However, living in stress over-load is NOT normal, and it is not a sign of personal failure to ask for help when this happens.
Getting professional help is actually a form of self-help because you must first recognize that you need help and then give yourself permission to get it. Giving permission to yourself or a loved one is a sign of caring. Take care of yourself.
Recognize that the holiday season has its own stress and health concerns for many, including seasonal depression. If you find yourself extremely low, get professional help if you need it. And don’t let cost be a factor. Many people have low- or no-cost professional help available for themselves and their families through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) at their places of employment.
Where are you this holiday (Holy Day) season? Don’t you think there will be just a little bit of stress simply because it is Christmas? Expect that there will be some stress. Plan for it. Get help if you need it. Do the best you can and . . .
Remember to be good to you!
Copyright © 2012 by Gary L. Flegal, Ph.D.
•Dr. Gary Flegal is a Behavioral Medicine and Health Specialist with a doctorate in “Health Education and Human Performance” from Michigan State University. He is an exciting and accomplished presenter and keynote speaker, presenting seminars for groups and companies on location and at conventions. His advanced training in stress management came to him while working in affiliation with the original Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard under the direction of Herbert Benson, M.D. and his staff. In addition to corporate presentations, Dr. Flegal keeps a busy schedule working with individual clients for a variety of stress-related issues, including anger management, quitting smoking, learning to relax and manage stress, and learning self-hypnosis.
Dr. Flegal’s other passion is magic. He has been a professional magician for over 30 years and continues practicing his art at every opportunity. These two passions work together beautifully as he illustrates stress management concepts with fun, visual, and “magical” demonstrations in his stress management workshops and seminars. It also allows him to share stress management with his magic audiences wherever he goes because “Laughter is the Best Medicine!” Gary also possesses Master level training in Reiki, a hands-on healing therapy. Gary Flegal is also a Certified Consulting Hypnotist, certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists.
Dr. Flegal’s specialties include stress management, anger management, positive behavior change, insomnia, smoking cessation, and exercise physiology. For individual appointments, speaking engagements, or more information, contact Gary at Professional Stress Management Services in Nashville, Tennessee, at (615)812-7280 or through his Web site: www.GaryFlegal.com.
Gary L. Flegal, Ph.D. 
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