Stay Calm During the Holidays

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Wellness Programs Will Help Employees Beat Chaos

Oversize candy canes are already on display at stores. Family members are planning holiday get-togethers, near and far. And you’re wondering just how high airfares might climb. It’s only September!

The holiday season brings its own unique set of anxieties. For many of us, managing stress is a year-round challenge as well. 

The County is offering employees some help staying calm: free Stress Management classes starting next month. A health educator from Kaiser Permanente will teach the sessions, titled “Happy Healthy Holidays,” at the following times, dates and locations: 

  • Friday, Oct. 4, noon-1 p.m. at HHSA’s Health Services Complex on Rosecrans, 3851 Rosecrans St., San Diego
  • Wednesday, Nov. 6, noon-1 p.m. at Edgemoor Skilled Nursing Facility, 655 Park Center Dr., Santee
  • Wednesday, Dec. 11, noon-1 p.m. at the County Operations Center, 5500 Overland Ave., Suite 120, San Diego

The classes are among the activities planned for the Employee Wellness Program’s 4th quarter, said William Erese, the County’s wellness coordinator. The County will also offer Healthy Holiday Cooking classes starting Oct. 16 at the County Operations Center, on Oct. 23 at the HHSA’s South Region Center in Chula Vista, on Nov. 13 at Edgemoor Skilled Nursing Facility and on Nov. 20 at Housing and Community Development in Kearny Mesa. All sessions will run from noon to 1 p.m. In addition, employees can participate in a Healthy Holiday Recipe Challenge and the Maintain Don’t Gain program, which encourages employees to not gain weight during the holidays.

Too often our routines “go out the door” around the holidays, said Diana Bishop, a health education worksite consultant for Kaiser who will be teaching the stress management classes. We break out of our healthy habits like daily exercise, nutritious eating and getting enough sleep. Unfortunately, extra pressures come into play too, placing strains on our relationships and finances.

“People feel they need to spend money—they’re guilt-ridden,” Bishop said.

Pitfalls can include depression and spikes in alcohol use.

During the stress management classes, Bishop will help employees come up with a healthy plan for handling the holiday season. She will go over effective ways to communicate your needs to your significant other and work together to reach your goals.

She will cover ideas for how to relieve stress, and even lead participants through some guided visualization to help them relax during class.

So bring your lunch, and take a few minutes for your health!

For more information on upcoming employee wellness activities, visit the program’s website.

You don’t have to wait until a crisis strikes, be prepared! Know the signs of stress and for behavioral health resources call the County’s Access and Crisis Line at 888-724-7240 or visit the Up2SD.org website. Remember, you are not alone.