~One from the archives. Enjoy!~
Here's some ways to keep yourself sane (sort of) through this crazy but fun time of year.
10.)Keep your schedule
realistic – If you’re booked for 7 holiday parties, a blood donation, a
toy drive and five family visits, you may want to take a look at your
schedule and your sanity. You can’t do it all at once, sorry. You
risk getting yourself ill or worn out. Even worse, you could totally
loose the holiday spirit, which is no fun for anyone.
9.) Give personal gifts
instead of just fruitcake – be creative! This may be tough around the
holidays (like you don’t have enough to do) but use your talents for
gifts! Do a numerology report, create a wonderful gift basket, put
together a beautiful flower arrangement that they can keep year round –
whatever showcases your talent while making gift giving even easier on
you!
8.) Plan your get togethers
after the holidays. Less traffic, less hassle, fewer headaches and
less money – wow, lots of positives! Put a date on the calendar now
for the get together in January or February – here’s something to look
forward to after the holiday craziness.
7.) Shop Online! Lots of
bargains free shipping and hard to find collectibles helps you avoid
the malls and give an awesome gift. Who doesn’t like shopping in your
sweats and fuzzy slippers?
6.) Leave yourself plenty
of time to get around town. Nothing causes more stress than traffic.
Give yourself some extra time to get places so if you hit traffic, you
don’t worry. Yes, it may mean setting the alarm earlier but you’ll
thank yourself when you’re early or even on time for where you’re
going.
5.) Give to someone you
don’t know. Whether or not it’s someone less fortunate or a charity
that means a lot to you, there is nothing like making a donation of
money, time or toys to help you understand what the true meaning of
giving is all about.
4.) Be positive to everyone
– even those scrooges out there. This time of year brings out the best
in some, the worst in others. You’ll see and hear some real negativity
from folks, which can also include family. Change the subject when
someone is negative, bring up a positive spin on the negativity they
are sending your way or send love and light to them, asking spirit to
embrace them. Most importantly, stay positive yourself and let the
negative ideas roll off your back.
3.) Call a friend who
you’ve lost touch with over time. It happens, our lives get busy or we
switch jobs, whatever happens, we lose touch with friends. If you can,
pick up the phone and call someone to catch up. You’ll be surprised
how much you’ve been missed and you’ve missed them!
2.) Get lots of hugs from
those who love you. A warm hug can be one of the most relaxing and
loving acts in the world. Give someone an extra hug – spread the love
and happiness around – oh, and it’s free!
1.) Take care of you! You
say, oh sure Mary, how can I do that? I still have to shop, wrap
presents, see a ton of people, cook and clean – so how can I take care
of me? It’s the little things that make you feel better. Lie in a tub
for a little while, catch a movie, get something great to eat, read a
good book – I don’t mean for hours. Give yourself even a half an hour
a day to relax; it will make a difference in coping with stress.
Good luck handling the
holidays – make sure you take care of those you love but most
importantly, don’t forget how much you love you. Put yourself on the
top of the list of someone to be good to this year.
Copyright 2006, Mary D'Alba
