CHARLES TOWN, W.V.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 2009--
The 2009 holiday season is officially underway – and while most of us
look forward to the fun and excitement, some feel overwhelmed by the
stress of office parties, family get-togethers, winter travel and
grid-locked shopping mall parking lots.
To keep the holidays safe and sane, American Public University System
(APUS) Professors John D. Moore, Ph.D., Tim Hardiman, and Mariana
Leckner, Ph.D., offer holiday revelers, shoppers and consumers a set of
easily achievable tips and suggestions.
Tim Hardiman, a professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Mariana
Leckner, an associate professor of science, point out that while
holiday shopping and winter travel can be fun, it’s important to
minimize risk by taking a few commonsense steps to make your experience
less stressful:
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Have the right equipment in your car to
ensure safety and peace of mind – Before winter weather sets
in, check your tires, battery, cooling system and windshield fluid.
Keep a bag of sand or kitty litter in your trunk if you’re in an area
prone to icing or snow to use for tire traction if you get stuck on
ice. And if you must use the cell phone when you’re on the road, be
sure to have a hands-free unit.
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Drive wisely and safely – It
seems like common sense, but sometimes the obvious is elusive to us in
the go-go pace of the holidays. Know where you’re going by checking an
online mapping site beforehand or using a GPS system if you have one
in your car. Be aware of sudden temperature drops and the incidence of
“black ice” in parking lots and on side streets. Slow down and
concentrate on driving – not the family shopping drama that may be
taking place all around you. And by all means, don’t ever drink and
then drive.
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Be an aware and alert shopper –
While shopping malls are aglow with lights, decorations, and excited
children, they also can be hangouts for petty thieves and others who
could ruin your holiday spirit. As a result, you should be aware of
your surroundings at all times. In stores, don’t flash your money and
be sure not to leave behind receipts. Online, keep your passwords in a
secure place and be extra careful not to be lured by phishing sites.
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Know the weather forecast in advance
– Winter weather can change rapidly. Melting snow and ice can freeze
rapidly after sunset. Watch for patches of ice when walking around
malls and parking lots to avoid falling. Also, be aware that winds can
increase your chances of hypothermia, so bundle up and limit your time
outside!
Dr. John Moore, an APU professor of psychology and health
sciences, notes that for those who must deal with emotionally distant
family members, a recent break-up, or childhood memories marred by
family drinking or fighting, the holidays can be a particularly trying
time. Dr. Moore offers these coping strategies:
-
Don’t force yourself into the holiday
spirit – Instead of forcing yourself to “get happy,” embrace
your current emotions and focus on what thoughts or events are making
you feel down. Are your family members difficult to deal with? Did
someone from your childhood hurt you and the holidays bring those bad
memories back? If so, consider recording what you are feeling in a
personal journal. This will help you to zone in on the specific
emotions you are experiencing and encourage catharsis.
-
Avoid emotionally difficult situations
– Does the thought of spending time with your family during the
holidays cause anxiety? If so, it may be time to ask yourself: “Do
I really have to go to this gathering?” Joy works both ways, so
perhaps spending time with a “Created Family” (otherwise known as
close friends) may make more sense than attending an emotionally
charged family gathering.
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Be good to yourself -- Being
good to you does not mean buying yourself into debt by purchasing the
latest trendy gizmo. It means realizing that you cannot be all things
to all people. The point here is rather than doing everything under
the sun for other people, let someone do it do for you. Does
this sound selfish – maybe a bit vain? Perhaps, but there are times
when being “selfish” is healthy.
About American Public University
American
Public University is a member institution of American
Public University System (APUS) – an accredited, affordable online
university system. APUS includes American
Military University and educates more than 50,000 adult learners
worldwide. APUS offers 74 degrees through its online undergraduate and
graduate programs. Courses are taught by professors who are experienced
in the real-world subjects they teach. APUS’s curriculum, affordability
and flexibility helps working adults pursue degrees in homeland
security, national security, emergency and disaster management
professional studies, and liberal arts. A university book grant supplies
course reading materials at no cost to eligible undergraduate students.
Source: American Public University
American Public University
Renee Williams Hockaday,
703-334-3868
[email protected]
or
Steve
Drake, 301-680-0585
[email protected]