Karen Szmyd Dickason, Value Options
‘Tis the season to be jolly—and stressed out! For many, increased demands and expectations during the holidays can be overwhelming. Rather than being a time of joy and celebration, many homes are filled with tension, conflict and disappointment.
Several factors contribute to the onset of anxiety, depression and excessive indulgence at this time of year. Most of us begin establishing expectations for the holidays during childhood. What was once a magical and exciting time of year can turn into a dreaded annual chore if we carry unrealistic childlike expectations into adulthood. We may feel responsible for creating the perfect holiday season for our loved ones only to feel guilty or inadequate when we do not succeed.Can these all-too-common holiday traps be avoided? Yes! There are ways to manage these seasonal stressors without canceling the holiday season altogether! Here are a few suggestions:
· Be realistic. Few of us have ideal families, unlimited resources or perfect lives. Stop putting pressure on yourself to magically create a perfect scenario during the holidays.
· Communicate. Families often stick to rituals that are stress-producing or have lost their original pleasure. Talk to your loved ones about what has meaning for you at this time in your life.
· Take care of yourself. Don’t overextend yourself to the point that a pleasure turns into a burden. Set limits in terms of your commitments so that you have time for rest, exercise, good nutrition and quality time with loved ones.
· Be independent. It’s easy to get caught up with trying to compete with others because of the intense commercial hype surrounding the holidays. Think for yourself. Make plans that feel right for you. Organize a group and go caroling at a local hospital or nursing home. Give gifts, eat, drink and socialize on your terms.
· Plan ahead. Take inventory of past failures and disappointments and plan differently this year. Ask for support and assistance from family members so that no one is overtaxed.
· Be creative. Make your own traditions. Focus more on spirituality and interpersonal closeness rather than upon materialism and over-consumption.
One gift you can give yourself is the gift of physical and emotional health. This is not such an easy thing to do during this time of year. But remember: By taking care of yourself and planning the holiday you really want, you can make this holiday season one that you and your loved ones will enjoy and cherish. You may even find that the true spirit of the season stays with you long after all the gifts are opened. ConocoPhillips offers an EAP program through Value Options. ValueOptions provides confidential services at no cost to the employee. Employee’s can talk with a counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 866-241-4080.
Shopping during the holiday season can present unique safety issues and dangers. Take a few simple prevention
measures to help keep your holiday season joyous. The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season:
• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
• Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Carry cash in your front pocket, and avoid carrying a purse or
wallet when possible.
• Only carry your Driver License or Identification Card along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit
card you expect to use.
• Stay alert to your surroundings. Beware of strangers approaching for any reason. At this time of year,
"con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
AAA estimates that over 65 million Americans are going to travel away from home for the holidays in December. If you are one of them you know it isn’t all about cranberry sauce and gingerbread cookies. The crowded airports and terminals can take a toll on your sanity — and your immune system. Because holiday travel takes place at the height of cold and flu season, to help reduce your chances of catching a bug on your holiday commute, stay well-hydrated, rested and stock-up on vitamins. And to cover all your health bases, make sure you know your health benefits. Before zipping up your suitcase, ensure you and your family have access to routine medical treatment, emergency care and prescription drugs no matter your holiday destination.
Hopefully the only ailment you'll suffer will be from eating too much pie, but it's wise to be sure you're covered if you need medical attention. Begin by reviewing your current medical option to determine your coverage for medical care when traveling outside your current network of doctors and hospitals. Travel destination (domestic or international) and length of stay may impact your current coverage. Contact your current insurance provider to discuss alternatives.
Below is a list of questions you may want to review when determining the best option for your travel needs.
Questions about routine medical care when traveling
- Are there in-network doctors at my travel location?
- Does my plan cover doctor's visits out of state?
Questions about emergency services when traveling
- Will my health benefits cover emergency services from an out-of-network doctor or hospital?
- What health benefits information do I need to provide when receiving emergency care out of state or out of the country?
Questions about prescription drugs when traveling
- If I forget to pack a prescription drug, how can I get the medicine I need when I'm out of town?
- Can I get a prescription refill from a pharmacy away from home?
If your medical option does not cover out-of-network services or if you take a prescription drug, you may want to consider purchasing a short-term supplemental plan to cover these essentials at your holiday destination.
Take Advantage of Personal Health Records
This is also a good opportunity to start or update your Personal Health Record (PHR). Typically offered through your health insurer (ConocoPhillips offers to those in the HDHP, PPO, EPO or Traditional options), a PHR is a password-protected online record that stores all of your health-related information in one place. Since it's online, you can access this vital information from anywhere in the world at any time.
Tips for Traveling with Children
- Make sure vaccinations are up-to-date.
- Ask your pediatrician to make a referral for a pediatrician at your travel destination.
- Find the name and location of a children's hospital at your destination, print directions and carry them with you.
- Bring a list of your child's health history including any allergies and current medications.
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