Seven tips for coping with holiday stress.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 1994--The winter holiday season can be a stressful time of year, thanks to factors such as: increased time demands from family, friends and co-workers; higher and unexpected expenses; increased consumption of food and beverage; time-consuming seasonal chores; greater susceptibility to flu and colds; and for some, feelings of loneliness or anxiety over family encounters.

Coping with these demands can be challenging; sometimes outside help is needed.

National Resource Consultants, a San Diego-based employee- assistance program (EAP) affiliated with WellPoint Health Networks Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross of California, offers the following means to better enjoy the holidays:

-- Prioritize. Make a list of all the things you'll need to,

both chores and leisure activities. Rank them in two ways,

according to what needs to be done, then in order of enjoyment

of the activity. Combine the two lists, alternating a

``need'' with something you really enjoy. This approach may

help to get those ``must-do'' tasks done in a much more

pleasant way.

-- Set limits. Don't overwhelm yourself. Be realistic about

what you can expect to accomplish. Schedule break time and

reward yourself for completing another task. Something as

simple as a hot bath or a long walk can be a real tonic

following hectic or strenuous activity.

-- Out with the old. Not everyone lived a storybook childhood.

Certain holiday traditions can spark unwanted emotions.

Consider replacing unpleasant remembrances with newly

created, more cheerful traditions.

-- Take a deep breath. When anxiety strikes, your heart races

and breathing becomes shallow and rapid. Slow, deep breaths

can help to counter an anxiety attack almost immediately.

Slowly breathe in through the nose to expand your stomach

and rib cage. Exhaling through your mouth completes the

process and returns the body to a state of calm.

-- Remember to laugh. Laughter is a very effective way to

ease stress. A hearty laugh will give your heart, lungs

and back a good workout, as well as lower your blood

pressure, heart rate and muscle tension.

-- Designate a driver. Holiday parties are great means of

socializing with friends and family. However, not everyone

toasts the holidays in moderation. Ensure that everyone

makes it home safely by designating someone in your party

who will refrain from drinking. If that is not possible,

arrange to take a cab.

-- Remember your EAP. Don't be shy about asking for help if

the holidays become troublesome. Trained EAP counselors

can help to evaluate your situation and provide you with

the means of getting the best out of you and the holidays.

Many employers offer some form of EAP to provide employees and their dependents with short-term counseling by qualified practitioners. EAPs also offer access to more in- depth counseling for serious work-related and family problems such as poor job performance, drug or alcohol abuse or domestic violence.

WellPoint Health Networks is one of the nation's largest publicly traded managed-care companies, serving the health-care needs of more than 2.6 million medical members.

The company offers a comprehensive array of managed-care health plans provided through its health-maintenance organization, preferred-provider organization and specialty managed-health-care networks. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, vision, mental health, life insurance, Medicare supplement and workers' compensation.

CONTACT: Nick Krnich, 619/291-0330