Local businesswomen help alleviate holiday stress

As if Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t stressful enough, now Halloween is fast becoming the big contender.

Consumers are getting overwhelmed with all the demands of the holidays. With costumes to buy, parties to attend and food to binge on, the season’s preparations have turned into a daunting task, requiring lots of planning.

In a recent survey on holiday stress, the American Psychological Association (APA) found that women are more likely than men to report heightened stress levels during the holiday season, and that they’re less likely to take time to relax or manage that stress in healthy ways.

“A triple threat of October, November and December shopping can put someone into sensory overload,” says Crystal Evans, a Maricopa resident.

What causes holiday stress in the first place? According to an article by Dr. Melissa Stoppler, stress is induced by unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial strain, fatigue and other factors.

If reading this article is causing stress, then rest assured there are ways of building resilience to minimize it this holiday season. First be sure to define, and recognize where holiday stress is coming from. What behaviors are helping to escalate anxiety?

Go slow and change one behavior at a time. Take care of the mind, body and spirit by eating healthy, getting enough rest and engaging in activities that are enjoyable and relaxing. Also, ask for support from others when needed. Lastly, try to pace activities accordingly.

Four women business owners recognize that the holidays are upon us and have organized the 1st Annual Maricopa Holiday Boutique Event. It’s an effort to keep shopping and getting ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas fun and pleasurable.

Each business will be hosting a casual monthly event, beginning in October, that will be relevant to the holidays. Whether it’s glamming up for parties, creating kooky costumes for the kids or decorating your house with style, they’ll all be giving tips and support to keeping your celebrations stress free.

The first event is a Halloween Boutique and costume party at Poco Loco, 20800 N. John Wayne Parkway, #113, on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 5-8 p.m.

For more information about this event, contact Dareece or Sonya at (520) 568 -5865 or by email at [email protected].

Poco Loco Home Decor & Gifts originally established in 1991 in Bisbee, Arizona, owners Sonja Templeton and Dareece Rosales feature Home Decor, Unique Gifts, and Apparel. Duderbugs is a family-owned children’s new and resale store specializing in gently used children’s items, cribs, strollers, highchairs, etc. Studio Charme is a hair/make-up studio specializing in enhancing your beauty. All three businesses are locally owned and operated in Maricopa.

File photo