Breathe Easier This Holiday Season - 12 Tips
Posted on April 14, 2008
Does your ‘to-do list’ this holiday season seem endless, thus, making time to relax easier said than done.
A recent Mayo Clinic report reminds us that relaxation needs to be at the top of your ‘to-do list,’ along with other important items. Research suggests that you can start by not mulling over old issues, because hanging onto past events only increases mental and physical stress, which in turn causes frustration and anger. Purposefully turning your thoughts in another direction creates room in your mind, so that you can deal with an issue more effectively at a later time.
” Recognize your feelings. Quelling stressful feelings with pleasure, such as indulging in sweets, brings only temporary relief, often followed by feelings of guilt. In the end, such escapes can undermine long-term well-being. Holistic healing practitioners encourage everyone to maintain positive emotions. An optimistic outlook helps you to stay on an even keel emotionally and allows you to recover faster from stress when you finally do have the time to relax.
” Take time to relax. Spending 15 minutes alone periodically during the day, without distractions, can refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Slip away to a quiet place, even if it is to the bathroom for a few moments of solitude. Take a walk. Listen to soothing music. Reduce stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Meditate, take a soothing bath.
” Maintain a realistic attitude. As families change and grow, traditions need to change. Accept that you may need to let go of some traditions - if your adult children and grandchildren are unable to gather at your house as usual, find new ways to celebrate, such as sharing pictures, e-mail or videotapes.
” Seek support. If you feel isolated or down, seek a connection with people. If you are away from family or friends volunteer at a community or religious function. Being involved and helping others can lift your spirits and increase your friendships. You do not have to go it alone. Avoid being a martyr.
” Set grievances aside. Accept family members and friends as they are, even if they do not live up to your expectations. Practice forgiveness. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for a discussion. Be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. They too feel the effects of holiday stress.
” Set a budget and keep it. If you fail to set a budget and keep it, you could feel anxious and tense for months afterward as you struggle to pay the bills. You can not buy happiness with an avalanche or expensive gifts. To simplify your shopping list, donate to a charity in someone’s name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift
” Plan ahead to maximize your time. Set aside specific time for shopping, baking, visiting friends, etc. Plan your menus, then, make one food-shopping trip. Expect travel delays, especially if you are flying.
” Maintain healthy habits. Do not use holidays as a guilt free dietary free-for-all. Some indulgence is OK, but overindulgence adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so you do not overindulge on sweets, cheese or alcohol. Maintain your sleep schedule and maintain your physical activity.
” Rethink resolutions. Resolutions can set you up for failure if they are unrealistic. Do not resolve to change your whole life to make up for past excess. Instead, return to basic, healthy lifestyle routines. Set smaller, more specific goals with a reasonable time frame. Choose only resolutions that help you feel valuable and that provide happiness.
” Avoid Perfectionism from yourself or others. Holiday TV specials are filled with happy endings. In real life, people do not usually resolve problems within an hour or two.You may get stuck late at the office and miss your daughter’s school play, your sister may dredge up an old argument, your partner may burn the cookies, and your mother may criticize how you are raising your children. Accept imperfections in yourself and in others.
” Say no, when, no is the best response. People understand if you can not do certain projects or activities. If you say yes only to what you really want to do, you will avoid feeling resentful, bitter and overwhelmed. If it is not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, remove something else from your ‘to-do list’ to avoid over extending yourself.
” Seek professional help. Sometime despite your best efforts, you may discover you feel persistently sad or anxious, physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, or unable to face routine chores. Seeking professional help does not mean you are inadequate, it simply means you are a wonderful human being, who needs to resolve issues that are beyond your current knowledge base. No one is ever expected to set a broken arm or leg, likewise no can is expected to manage all emotional dis-ease without assistance.
Happy Holiday
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, “101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life.” Dr. Dorothy has the unique gift of connecting people with a broad range of profound principles that resonate in the deepest part of their being. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one’s daily thoughts and feelings. http://www.drdorothy.net
Tags: abundance, attraction, free, holiday, Mayo, meditate, prosperity, relax, research, secret, stress, to-do list
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