Stress comes from a feeling of scarcity caused by your thoughts. 

• I don’t have enough time to get everything done.
• I don’t have enough money for all the gifts I want to buy.
• I need to eat these special holiday treats because I have been working so hard and no one else appreciates me. 
• I will miss out if I don’t eat these treats NOW.
• My family doesn’t appreciate me.
• Food is my only pleasure.

Other times stress comes from wanting to have everything perfect.

• I have to make this a perfect holiday for my kids.
• I want to make this holiday more special than any other.
• I want to buy the perfect gift.
• I want to create the perfect meal.
• I have to have the perfect party.

How about stress from judgments about other people?

• My brother is such a jerk at holiday dinners.
• My boss just doesn’t understand how busy I am.
• My friend doesn’t respect me.
• My mother is so critical of me.

You may have stressful thoughts about your past.

• I always have a horrible holiday.
• My family just doesn’t ever get me.
• My kids have always been selfish and never think of me.

The common thread through all of these thoughts is a feeling of not having enough, not being enough and not doing enough.

If I tell you that you have everything you need, you may react with hostility!  I’m ok with that.  This is what I know:

• You can learn awareness of your thoughts.
• You are enough.
• You don’t need to be fixed.
• You can love yourself.
• You can appreciate yourself.
• You can be happy with what you do.
• You can make a gratitude list.
• You can learn how to breathe when you feel stressed.
• You can learn how to change your thoughts about your life.

Some powerful questions you can ask.  The answers will lighten your stress.

• What do you appreciate about yourself?
• What do you appreciate about your brother, your boss, your friend and your mother?
• Where do you value people over things?
• What kind of holiday do you want to experience?