Recent Newsletters
December 2009 -
5 Tips to Get You Through the Hustle and Bustle of the Holiday Season!
1) Over-scheduled and Overwhelmed - Are you overwhelmed by all of the events, parties and festivities of the Holiday Season?
Take 10 minutes and make a calendar of all of the events that you are absolutely obligated to go to and write them in Red on your calendar. Then look at all the parties or gatherings that you really want to attend and mark them on your calendar in Green. Which functions remain? These are the commitments that you need to rid yourself of, without offending anyone in the process. An open, honest approach can save you a lot of time and stress. Tell the host or hostess that you are completely overbooked, but you would really like to see them (if this is indeed true). Make a firm date for January to reinforce that you care about your relationship with them.
2) Holiday Weight Gain - Worried about putting on those extra pounds going from party to party? Here are some simple but effective ways to pace yourself, while still having fun.
First, there is the eat only half rule. Whether its hors d'oeuvres or a sit down meal, when everything looks so delicious we have a tendency to eat a lot more than we usually would, without really being aware that we are doing so. We justify this in our minds saying; "Well, it's the holidays! I don't want to think about how much I'm eating or count carbs or calories!" Your thinking is correct. It's time to relax and enjoy yourself, but you don't have to over indulge to get a taste of all the yummy food. Instead, allow yourself to eat half of what is on your plate, or take smaller portions, but feel free to sample everything that you like. This way you aren't depriving yourself, nor will you be over indulging to the point where you are shocked when you step on the scale. Another method to help keep off unwanted extra pounds is ... to drink lots of water. Try having one glass in the morning before breakfast, and at a party for every glass of alcohol or pop that you drink, have a glass of water. This will really help flush out your system!
3) Christmas Shopping - tips for those who still have shopping to do.
It would be great if all our shopping was done by now, but for many of us this is not the case. If you still have a big list, start by thinking about what you want to give those individuals still left on your list and where you're going to buy these gifts. This simple technique can be a real time saver. Here's an easy step-by-step guide to help you along:
· Start by making a list of everyone you want to get presents for. Next to each person's name, mark down what presents you think you would like to get for that person, and where you think you can purchase these gifts - this may take a bit of time to prepare, but will save you time and reduce your stress when you are actually shopping in the stores.
· Now for the organized strategy: figuring out a shopping route. If necessary, divide you're shopping into two or more days. Start with all the stores at one end of the city one day and the next shopping day go to the other end of the city, or a different quarter. If you can get most of your shopping done in one mall, look at the mall map and number each one of your gifts in the sequence the stores appear on the mall map. This will help you avoid running from one end of the mall to the other, again saving time and reducing stress.
4) Do something nice for someone.
For many people, the holidays can be particularly difficult for different reasons. Be someone's "holiday angel." Bring them a thoughtful gift or find an hour to have coffee or tea with them. Are you having a holiday dinner at your house? Invite them to come for the dinner. You will feel great for your good deed, and the recipient of your kind act will have had something nice happen to them over the holidays that may in fact turn out to be one of their highlights for the season. Goodwill is contagious, so find someone who needs a holiday angel and be one for them. I promise, you will feel great, and your gift of kindness is likely to be well received.
5) Take a breather!
Most importantly take some time for YOU. It can be as simple as sleeping in on a couple of days over the holidays, booking yourself that massage you always wanted, or doing something really fun with your very best friends. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to take some time and do something wonderful for yourself... you are totally worth it!