I WILL SURVIVE!
With the holidays in full swing, Dr. Steven Rosenberg offers advice and counsel on surviving the season with reason.
For Philadelphia-based Therapist and Author Dr. Steven Rosenberg, Ph.D., the New Year has always brought in a
bevy of new clients. This is not surprising.
A recent CNN poll found that over 50% percent of respondents reported the holidays as the most stressful time of
year and this year is even more stressful as unemployment rates continue to climb.
According to Rosenberg, not only do money woes and the hectic pace of the holiday season result in increased levels
of stress, it can also lead to ineffective communication between family members – which, in turn, maybe the final
the straw that leads the couple straight to a therapist’s couch.
Communication is key. If your family is feeling overwhelmed and individuals and relationships seem tense,
make a conscious effort to practice the communication skills of listening and expressing.
Keep expectations for the holidays manageable. Don’t try to make this holiday season the best ever.
Set realistic goals for yourself and your family and pace yourself.
Organize your time. Make a list and prioritize the most important activities. Be realistic about what you can
and cannot do. How much help can the younger family members realistically be expected to give? Adults
need to say no and set healthy limits for themselves and their families.
Set limits on money, time, and emotional energy that you and your family can give and stick to them. If
spending time with extended family is stressful set limits on time spent together.
Additional Tips:
The Holidays can overwhelm children. There’s so much expectation and stimulation.
Schedule quiet time; for you and the children. Kids act up when they are overtired. Make sure they get breaks from
the noise and confusion of the season.
Pick your battles. Stand firm on the important stuff and let the rest slide.
Discipline with love.
Communicate with them.
Model love, respect, and self-control.
Plan for the letdown.
You and the Family
Be realistic.
Set limits and stick to them.
Organize and prioritize
Be flexible – stay open to change.
Get enough sleep – plan for the rest you need.
Maintain healthy routines: exercise, eat right and avoid overindulging.
Share with others your time and talents (even better, do this as a family).
Remember that you are only human.
About the Author
Dr. Steven Rosenberg, Ph.D., was born in Philadelphia in 1947. He did his undergraduate work at Temple University
before receiving his doctorate from Southwest University. During the course of his subsequent career as a teacher,
psychotherapist, and hypnotist, he has helped tens of thousands of people quit smoking. And every November he
conducts a mass smoke-out at www.quititnow.com/ordernow.com Dr. Rosenberg has been the team psychotherapist
of The Philadelphia Flyers hockey team and a consultant for the Perspective television series. He was the recipient
of the Selah Award and was inducted into the Hypnosis Hall of Fame. He was also voted Cambridge’s Man of the Year
1994 and was listed in Who’s Who in the East in 1993-94. Since 1997, He is the author of the popular book, “Quit
It Now And Forever,” which teaches people to quit smoking with ease. He has also written, “The 15 150 Secret To
Simple Dieting,” and “I Hope The Hell I Win! Turning Hope Into Reality… How Winners Win!” Dr. Rosenberg is a
hypnosis hall of fame member and has been featured on Fox-TV, Men’s Health, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily
News and CBS 3.