Avoid Holiday Blues and Stress

The holidays are times full of joy, cheer, parties, and family gatherings. While it's a time to be with family and friends, the season also can cause much stress and discontent. The demands of holiday shopping, parties, family, and house guests also contribute to feelings of tension. The holiday hype can leave you feeling like you’re expected to do many things all at once. This holiday make a commitment to your emotional and physical well being and take it easy with these simple steps.

Save time for yourself.

Don’t give away all your time and energy to please family and friends. Give yourself a break and learn to trust others to help you with your responsibilities. Take personal time to reflect on what the holidays mean to you. Have fun with this virtual bubble wrap. It’s a great stress reliever!
http://www.virtual-bubblewrap.com/popnow.shtml

Eat healthy and choose your foods wisely.

The best part about the holidays is the food! Loads of fattening foods, sweets and alcohol can tempt you to overindulge. The holidays are no excuse to make poor choices that you will regret later. Make substitutions when possible and eat smaller portions. Drink plenty of water and try to avoid too much caffeine.
http://www.stayinginshape.com/3osfcorp/libv/p07.shtml

Give gifts from the heart.

Why overwhelm yourself trying to please someone by searching for the “perfect” gift. You don’t have to “break the bank” to buy gifts. Stick to your budget. If you are crafty or creative, make gifts. If you don’t have the time to make gifts, use a guide to help you find a gift for that picky person. http://www.surprise.com

Look to the future, not behind at the past.

This is not the time to self-evaluate on the mistakes you made this year or to focus on your regrets. Don’t compare yourself to others and berate yourself for not following through on goals or resolutions. Think about the new opportunities that await you.

Go with the flow.

Who says your family gathering has to be as great as your mom, aunt, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, best friend, etc? If you accidentally ruin the pumpkin pie, have a store brought pie on hand just in case. Be prepared for mishaps, by having an alternate plan. Set realistic expectations. Don’t let the little things ruin your holidays. If someone makes an unpleasant comment about your dinner or party, tell them to host next year.

Article by:

Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach an Author of Successful Thinking for a Successful Life: How to Banish the Unhealthy Thoughts and Habits That Limit Your Success. Her Successful Thinking™ program is an affordable coaching resource that offers support and encouragement when there are roadblocks to success. You can find out more about the program at www.thinkandbesuccessful.com or sign up for her free Be Inspired newsletter at www.smartbeecoaching.com