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Number
10
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PLAN YOUR ACTIVITIES
Mark all special events on a calendar and place it in a visible area. Ensure
all activities, including shopping trips, are well organized. Keep
the calendar current and review it often. |
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Number
9
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ESTABLISH A BUDGET FOR HOLIDAY
SPENDING AND STICK TO IT
When tempted to overspend, remember that spending time with friends
and family is more important than spending money. Shop as early
in the season as possible. Avoid the frustration of long checkout
lines and frazzled sales people by arriving at stores early in the
morning, or late evening. Consider shopping online or by mail with
guaranteed delivery. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sturdy bags
to carry packages. Be sure to take an occasional break and drink
water to keep your energy level up. |
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number
8
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BREATHE
Often, when we are feeling stressed and hurried, we actually forget to breathe.
Certainly, we take in necessary oxygen, but we don't actually take
the time to breathe. It’s amazing how calming and relaxing just
one slow, deep breath can be. Here's a quick and simple exercise.
Until you try this exercise, you won't realize how tense you are.
It's called progressive relaxation and it works like this: Start
with your toes and work your way up the body. Clench each muscle
for 10 seconds and then thoroughly relax them. The whole exercise
shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes, and you'll feel as
if you've just undergone a massage. |
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number
7
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PHYSICAL EXERCISE
It is a great way to relieve stress, relax the body and clear the mind. Maintaining
your daily exercise program during the holidays will also help keep
the extra weight off. If you don't exercise regularly, give yourself
the best gift of all...your health. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate
intensity physical activity daily, and more if possible. (Consult
your physician before starting any new fitness program.) |
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Number
6
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FOCUS ON HEALTHFUL EATING HABITS
Bring nutritious snacks when shopping, so you won't be tempted to skip meals
or eat junk food when you are in a rush. Plan ahead and eat low-calorie
foods before and after attending festivities. This way you don’t
have to deny yourself fun party foods and you will be more apt to
show restraint. It's easy to overindulge during the holidays. Make
sure to watch portion sizes and select one or two of your favorites
from the host of tempting foods. Leave those extra calories behind
— limit your intake of foods high in fat or added sugar. If you
drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Remember holiday parties are
a time |
Number
3
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TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF EACH DAY
Schedule time just for you and let everyone know they need to respect
it. Take a bubble bath, read a novel, meditate or stare out the
window.No apologies to anyone! Calm your body, mind and spirit by
slowing down. It is as important to maintain a healthy lifestyle
during the holidays, as it is year round. Do something for you,
even if it means doing nothing at all! When super stressed, try
this fun exercise… Holding something from the freezer is an old,
but tried and true instant stress reliever. Take a package of frozen
veggies, ice cub, or whatever else you can grab from the freezer
when your stress meter is peaking. Simply roll the item in the palm
of your hands for a minimum of 2 minutes. It instantly slows the
adrenalin from speeding to the brain and slows the body down just
enough to take a big sigh. Iif you are not near a freezer, a very
cold canned soda can work as well. |
Number
5
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PRACTICE SAYING “NO” GRACIOUSLY
Limit the amount of time you stay at holiday events or gracefully decline
an invitation to avoid overextending yourself. It is a challenge
to be cheerful and positive when fatigued. You will enjoy visiting
friends much more if you are rested. |
Number
2
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VOLUNTEER
If possible, volunteer at a local shelter, food pantry or orphanage.
It will not only bring joy into other’s holiday, but it does wonders
for your self esteem. |
Number
4
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BE REALISTIC IN YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF
THE HOLIDAYS
It is easy to let the media influence your view of what an ideal holiday season
should be. Advertisements subtly key in to our need for love, acceptance,
success and status to encourage us to buy their products. Learn
to accept people and situations as they are and be forgiving of
yourself and others (a real gift for your own mental health). Enjoy
the moment and count your blessings daily. |
number
1
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CELEBRATE WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT...SHARING
TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND MOST OF ALL, SHARING LOVE, IS THE
TRUE BLESSINGS OF THE HOLIDAYS
Count your blessings once a day. Once every day, say to yourself
(or to someone else): "I feel lucky to have ------ in my life" or
"I feel privileged to have ------" Fill in the blanks with the names
of family or friends, or with other positives, such as good health
or a good career. Although these are tips to reduce stress for the
Holiday Season, they can be used for ANY season! Whenever possible,
plug in healthy coping strategies like journaling; massage; yoga
or Pilate's classes; or support groups or counseling sessions that
help you work through negative thoughts in a productive and healthy
way. Find ways to decrease the stress in your life. Get enough sleep,
quit smoking, establish a great support system and strive for balance
in all aspects of life. Lastly, don't forget to laugh. It can make
stress melt away in an instant. Plus, it decreases blood pressure
and heart rate, increases oxygen in the blood and creates an enzyme
that helps protect your stomach from the effects of stress. |
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