New Year, New You: Cure Holiday Stress

Dec. 26, 2006— -- The holidays can be a stressful time of year. With these tips from Laura Day, author of "Welcome to Your Crisis," you can squash your stress and make 2007 the best year ever.

People have four basic reactions to crisis: depression, anxiety, rage and denial, according to Day.

If you respond to stress with depression, focus on feeling connected. If you respond with anxiety, focus on successes. People who respond with rage should turn it around by practicing gratitude and finding reasons to be grateful. If you respond to stress with denial, focus on the moment; you've gotten so busy "doing," you're not feeling.

Day agreed to answer some e-mailed questions from "Good Morning America" viewers.

Q: I wouldn't really say that my family is driving me nuts during this holiday season. They always drive me nuts. I have two teenagers who want iPods and digital cameras. I also have a 9- and 5-year-old who basically want everything they see. On top of that, I now have a newborn who takes up a lot of my time. Needless to say, I am a very tired mother and all I want for this holiday season is some rest.
-- Yolanda

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This woman shouldn't take her family's requests personally, Day said.

But she is responding to crisis with denial. She's so busy doing things, that she's not taking any time to feel. She doesn't see that she's got lots of love around her.

Instead, she should focus on the moment. Instead of letting the situation drive her crazy, she should use this as an opportunity to create more intimacy in her family. Intimacy can be accomplished by giving up control and delegating responsibility.

If you're stressed out by a similar situation, next year tell the big kids that they are running Christmas. It won't be done your way, but it will get done. Give the kids a budget and make them agree on one big family gift like getting a great sound system for the living room. Have them plan Christmas dinner, even if its hoagies. It teaches you to let go of control, and it teaches them to pitch in -- a valuable skill they'll continue to use throughout the year.