Give Yourself a Break during the Holidays!

Hi, everyone!

As we get closer to the craziness of the holiday season, I thought I would do some research and try to find a way to step out of the craziness of the holidays and try to actually enjoy them!!

I know, I know! A tall order. Everyone wants something from you...the schools...the relatives...the kids...the husband. Then there's those "perfect" holiday commercials that we all try our best to "live" up to! Beautifully decorated tree with all the presents wrapped in stunning paper and ALL tied together nicely with various bows and adornments!! And while you're looking at the beautiful decor, check out the "perfect" looking family all dressed in matching holiday outfits and sitting calmly opening all of the beautiful gifts!!!

I don't know about you guys, but we are NEVER sitting calmly opening our gifts at my parents house. When my daughter was little it was MAYHEM...and yes, she's a bit more calm now that she's 18, but we have my nieces (ages 5 and 8). They try very hard to be calm...but it just doesn't work. I mean, HOLY MOLY!!! The amount of gifts to open!

In our family, this year we will be absent a very important family member...Dad passed away last March, so this year Christmas Day will be a bit "different."

As long as I can remember, Dad was always the garbage bag holder! No piece of wrapping EVER got by him! And when one bag was full he'd take out another bag he had stuffed right next to him in his chair. He was prepared! (Personally, I think he had a stash of bags because he never wanted to miss out on seeing his children/grandchildren/Mom opening a gift. HE would never admit to that, though!) This year we will have to designate another bag-holder. I'm thinking it will be my brother's job! (I, however, am always the Distributor of Presents - a title I have held for a very long time!)

With all that being said, I thought my family needed some tips on giving ourselves a break during the holidays this year. After thinking about it and coming up with these "tips", I thought, what the heck!!!! EVERYONE could use these.

So, regardless of your circumstances...whether your family is minus one this year or the holidays don't "sit" well with you...or there are stresses and difficulties that just make the holidays hard for you, take a look at these tips. Use what you can...ignore what you don't need.

Give Yourself a Break!

Physically Give Yourself a Break

(1) Allow yourself a bit of extra sleep.

(2) Replace your regular exercise with something a little less strenuous.

(3) Take a break from alcohol, processed food and sugar for a week or two. Cleanse your body.

Mentally Give Yourself a Break

(1) Give yourself a complete day without financial worries. Put the statements and bills away and consciously veer your mind away from thinking of your money problems for ONE FULL DAY. Save them for tomorrow. They aren't going anywhere.

(2) Go outside and get in tune with nature. Yes, it may be chilly, but bundle up and take a walk outside. Notice EVERYTHING.

(3) Take a day off from negative, draining people. I completely understand that everyone has these kinds of people in their lives. And sometimes it's just not possible to distance yourself permanently from them. So, take a day. They will also be there the next day...and the next... :)

Emotionally Give Yourself a Break

(1) Make it a label-free day! Every time you find yourself judging someone or something: stop. Put your mind elsewhere. Banish the negative self-talk that most of us have in the back of our head. It's a lot easier to stay calm when we limit our negative self-talk.

(2) Create a Worry Window. Every day carve out 15-20 minutes and think about your "worries." If you find yourself worrying outside of the "scheduled" time, remind yourself you have a time set up for that later.

(3) Write down the things you are grateful for. You know what I mean.

Give Yourself a Break from Technology

(1) Take a completely tech-free hour every day. No TV, Kindle, computer, cell phone...nothing!!!!!! You'll feel GREAT!

(2) Give your technology a bedtime. Decide at what point it should all stop. Then stick with it.

(3) Plan unproductive downtime. Go for a walk, take a bath, sit out on your deck...all without your cell, laptop, e-reader.

Lastly, the holidays are emotionally, physically and mentally tough on everyone. We constantly try to have the "perfect" holiday. There's no need.

My personal suggestions? I would like to go to some churches and listen to their choirs perform their holiday music. Check out the various choirs in the area...

The other suggestion...try helping someone less fortunate than you. It doesn't take a lot of time to deliver holiday treats to children in hospitals. It doesn't take a whole lot of time to visit nursing homes/assisted living facilities and spend some time there. It also doesn't take a lot of time to help the homeless or people who are suffering from this terrible economy we're in. Soup kitchens, homeless shelters and even animal shelters need a helping hand. Who knows?? You may find you'd like to continue in the helping spirit even after the holidays has passed!

Thanks for reading! As always, eat well and be happy!!!