It’s Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial beginning of summer.  It can represent carefree days, BBQ’s, sun, the beach and gatherings of family and friends.  But Memorial Day weekend can also include holiday stressors such as traffic, crowds, bad weather, food gone bad, high expectations, conflict and tension and loneliness.  And, although it’s a holiday for many, there are also many who will be working.

DBT teaches a variety of skills to manage stressful times.  These are a few strategies that you can use to deal with Memorial Day stressors.

Acceptance: Problems, daily hassles, loneliness and unmet expectations happen to all of us.  Life is imperfect no matter who or where you are (bad weather and arguments can happen even on a yacht in the Carribean). Responding to your problems, instead of sticking your head in the sand keeps stress and anxiety from building.  Sometimes you have to make a conscious choice to accept that your plans and expectations have gone awry.

Good mental health is something that we all strive for.  Happiness in life has long been a pursuit of people in the West.  And yet, despite our desire for optimum happiness and good mental health, many feel unable to discuss psychological problems.

In a recent interview, I talked with author Stacy Pershall (Loud in the House of Myself) about her hesitation to admit to the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.  In her book, she discusses the stigma and hopelessness that is particularly connected with a diagnosis of BPD.  It was not that long ago (the 1980’s and early 90’s) that BPD was considered by many to be an incurable disease.

Now, with DBT, the diagnosis of BPD is slowly losing some of its stigma. People with BPD are able to get help and make major improvements in their lives.

Stress plagues a large number of Americans.  The 2010 APA Stress Survey reports that in general Americans view their stress levels as higher than is healthy.  Although most recognize that healthy habits can decrease stress, people in the study experienced challenges in engaging in healthy behaviors.

For many, high stress levels contributed to unhealthy coping behaviors, such as over eating, not getting exercise and sleep problems.

One of the most important tasks of any mom is to nurture and care for her children.  You may have a great relationship with your mom today or, for any number or reasons, experience strain and tension in your relationship with your mom.  Regardless of your current relationship with your mom or the amount of nurturing you received as a child, it’s important to be able to nurture positive qualities in yourself.