REDUCE HOLIDAY STRESS

As the holiday season approaches I always get a variety of questions about how to reduce stress. I hope you will find the ideas below helpful in staying calm, healthy and vibrant for the whole holiday season .

1. Plan Ahead
Ask yourself what would my perfect holiday season look, sound & feel like? This clarity will help you to decide what to keep and what to eliminate on your to-do list. Our tendency is to try to cram too much into to short a time. Be prepared to cut things off your list and simplify if things get hectic.

Make a list of tasks and activities you want to accomplish. List what resources, time, energy, space, things, money, etc. will be require? Use your daytimer to plan backwards from the event(s) to the current date and allow time in your schedule for the unexpected. Now plan in time to rest and relax.

2. Get Organized and Delegate.
This is a good time to delegate to employees, friends, family, committee members etc. routine tasks. Make file folders for the tasks you want to delegate with checklists and instructions.

Shop on the Internet and buy from catalogs as much as possible and have gifts delivered to the person or your door. Use pick up and delivery services for everything from dry cleaning and car repair to party rentals and cookies for your child's class Christmas party.

3. Set Boundaries.
Let your clients, boss, family etc. know well in advance and in writing when you will and will not be available for what. Projects may need to be broken down into pieces with delivery dates spaced out to accommodate the extra tasks and interruptions of the holidays. Set due dates with employees, suppliers and contractors well in advance of your expected need. With in reason, don't become the victim of other peoples poor planning. Learn to say NO.

4. Practice Extreme Personal Selfcare.
During times of high stress it is easy to start running on adrenaline instead of “real” energy. When the adrenaline runs out you may find your self, exhausted, depressed and perhaps even sick. During stressful times we need extra support to maintain a high state of well-being.

Try the following:
* Limit intake of caffeine, sugar and alcohol (stressors)
* Increase your nutritional supplements.
* Do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. A brisk walk out of doors, workouts, swimming, yoga stretching, dancing, sports, Tai Chi etc.
* Take several 5 minute centered breathing breaks a day. Try relaxation visualizations to soft music.
* Scheduled pamper time. Massages, a facial, hot bath or hot tub time.
* Get extra sleep and take naps whenever possible.

5. Adopt An Attitude of Gratitude.
For a few minutes each morning before you get out of bed think of 5 things that you are grateful for in your life. Notice that all you have right now is enough and perfect just as it is and anything more is just more.

Several times a day take stock of all that you and others have accomplished and give acknowledgment to yourself and others for what is on track. This will give everyone the spirit and energy to tackle the next task.

Before you drift off to sleep make a mental note of all the challenges you have met this day and the problems you solved. Acknowledge the things you did to nourish and maintain your own well-being and that of others.

Give yourself a “well done” and know that tomorrow your will do all that is important to do, even if it is not everything on your to do list. Go to sleep with a smile on your face and gratitude for a night of peaceful rest.