Stress is Contagious

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 29 Feb 200 edition

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Stress is Contagious

 

Does dinner often feel like a combat zone?

 

There may be good reason for that.

 

For a lot of families, dinner comes at the end of a long, hard day

for everyone. The children are winding down from school,

and parents have been at work all day. Nerves are often frazzled

and on edge. And stress is contagious. Children can sense your mood,

and they often pick up on it.

 

So what can we do to create a happy dinner experience?

 

First, get into the habit of leaving your stress at the office.

Maybe listen to a good CD in the car, and put work out of your mind.

Use the time between work and home to de-stress yourself.

 

Before dinner, why not take a leisurely stroll around the neighbourhood

with your spouse? Talk about pleasant thing. If your partner is busy,

take a walk by yourself or with your children.

 

Whatever it takes to put you into a good frame of mind before sitting down

for dinner with your family – do it!