Feeling a little tense, irritable, tired, jittery, jangled, jumpy and just plain stressed out?

Yep, it's that time of year again.
Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or solstice you celebrate, December often checks in with a hefty load of emotional and financial baggage. Expectations run high while energy - and bank accounts – seem to flow in the other direction. For many, stress becomes the hallmark of the season.

"Around the holidays, people are feeling any number of pressures," said Jude Sharp, coordinator of the Office of the President's Employee Assistance Program. "People feel like they have to measure up and spend more than they are able to."

That's where the Employee Assistance Program comes in. Sharp is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays to offer confidential counseling on family, relationships, work, financial problems and all the seasonal issues holidays bring. The free service is open to all Office of the President employees, even those who work in Sacramento, Washington and other locations outside Oakland.

Sharp, a licensed clinical psychologist, meets with employees in her seventh floor office, but often visits at the Kaiser building. For those who work in remote locations, she does phone consultations. There is no limit to the number of sessions an employee can have. Sharp can also refer people to services offered in the community or through the employee's health provider.

In addition to the usual seasonal stress, many OP employees are experiencing workplace-related concerns. More have been using the assistance program since the announcements of restructuring efforts and a voluntary separation program, Sharp said.

In January and February, Sharp will be offering brown bag workshops on anxiety, depression and stress as well as managing change.

Sharpe has some tips for dealing with December's challenges:

• Rather than allow children to dictate their gift expectations to you, truthfully tell them what's possible and what isn't in terms of finances.

• Have the child make a list, then go over it together to figure out what you can afford.

• Set aside time with your children to make gifts to share with others.

• If holiday celebrations are going to be at your house, don't think you have to do it all alone. Parcel out the duties.

• Tell the truth and ask for help.

• Slow down and take the broad view. The holidays are concentrated, and we get caught up in thinking we have to do it all now.

• Take a breather and remind yourself what's important.

• Attend to self-care.

• Be compassionate to others.

• Remind yourself that this too will pass.

Contact Sharp at (510) 987-0839.