The holiday season is here. It's a time
of parties, family and friends, gift-giving, shared meals,
and joy. It can also be a time of stress, over-commitment,
and exhaustion. So how can we make the best of this wonderful
and celebratory, yet chaotic and stressful, time of year?
1. Say "no" to one invitation. Join
one less committee, attend one less party, decline one
less invitation. Say "Yes!" to giving yourself
one less thing to do.
2. Plan ahead with food. Carry a healthy snack
with you to curb hunger during parties and in a treat-filled
office. Drink lots of water to keep you hydrated and
to help fill you up.
3. Honor tradition. What jazzes you: Decorating
your home? A family dinner together? A gift-exchange
with friends? Honor traditions to help you feel grounded
and connected.
4. Allow your "inner child" to come out.
Often we spend our days in adult-like interactions and
discussions. Let yourself be a kid, play, and view the
holiday season with wonder and delight.
5. Take five minutes to be still. In the morning,
late at night, or on a break during the day, tell your
body to stop and just "be." Take a few slow,
deep breaths. Focus on relaxing your mind and your muscles.
6. Listen to your intuition. Does your gut tell
you that it's best not to host your neighborhood party?
Or warn you that one more event will put you over the
edge? Listen. Your intuition is usually right.
7. Get the rest you need. It's important to
be at your best when juggling a variety of activities.
Adequate rest allows the body to re-fuel, re-charge,
and stay healthy.
8. Be gentle on yourself. Forgive yourself for
not accomplishing everything you wanted. Cut yourself
slack if things aren't going exactly as planned. Embrace
imperfection.
9. Move your body. Go for a walk, clean the
house, cross-country ski, attend yoga class; it will
keep you alert, ward off extra pounds, and balance out
all those sedentary holiday activities.
10. Have fun! "If you can't beat 'em, join
'em!" The holidays are here--might as well have
a little fun! Live lightly, laugh at funny things, and
brighten the room when you walk in. We all need you!
Lastly, listen to the cues your body is giving you.
Right now, slow down. Breathe. Make a deliberate and
conscious effort to be present. Give that gift to all
those that you care about--and most importantly, to
yourself.
"In
the process of wading through the world of clutter and
being overwhelmed, needing to say 'no' to people, and
making new choices, Michelle helped me pin down what I
value most."