ŌSAVING YOUR SANITY DURING THE HOLIDAYSĶ
There
is one thing most of us will agree on this holiday season; and no, it isnÕt
what to buy that difficult person on your shopping list or whoÕs house we will
gather for the Christmas Day feast. No, itÕs not whether to have a real or
artificial tree, in what corner of the room to put it, or whether itÕs colored
or white lights. ItÕs not the hour on Christmas Eve youÕve decided to make the
kids go to bed or whoÕs gonna hold their head when there throwing up. And no
itÕs not about fruitcake, or plum pudding, holiday plays or the existence of
old Saint Nick. ItÕs about the fact that weÕre STRESSED. Stressed to the max is
the most recent coined phrase. I canÕt imagine why..?!
The
answers can be as easy or complex as we want to make them. HereÕs one way of
looking at things. All of life, everyday, day in and day out is a series of
events that stress us. Some things are good stressors some are not. If those
everyday stressors add up to be the not so good kind, we find adding even the
smallest of chores to the list is just too much.
There
are several ways to deal with stress during the holidays, but itÕs preferable
if you have already dealt with some of your daily stress before the big event.
Why didnÕt I write this article in September, because you wouldnÕt have
listened? YouÕre reading this now in the hopes that I will have some magic
answer that will keep you from shooting the rude sales clerk at the mall and
spending the rest of your days in jail; children fatherless, wife homeless.
Some
of your stress you wonÕt have control over-bosses, time schedules, balanced
with other commitments to family and friends. But one can learn to say no to
other less important things when our hearts are not it. If itÕs not fun and
your heart is not in it, does anyone really gain from that experience?
When
our health and energy are good we naturally deal better with stress. Start by
providing your body with the fuel it needs, simple nutritious foods, clean
water, enough sleep and light exercise.
Spend
some time in caring for and feeding of soul and spirit. Read something
inspirational, go to church, give to your favorite charity, volunteer your
time.
Hate
shopping? Hey itÕs the twenty-first century why not utilize some of that
technology to help you save your sanity. Most Internet stores will gift-wrap
and mail you selections directly. Greeting included.
Last
but not least remember to smile and laugh. Laughter is infectious; a smile
costs nothing and is beyond price.
Take
care of yourself and remember to be thankful for your health if nothing else,
even if itÕs not perfect it can usually be improved upon! Happy Holidays to all
my readers, Rebecca