The holidays are so romanced in our minds; baking cookies with our children... special gatherings with friends and family...time to laugh and play in the rain or snow... fun party's...driving through neighborhoods to see all the beautiful lights. Basically plenty of time to do everything we envision the holidays to represent; peace, love and joy.
Unfortunately more people are stressed than not and end up rushing to cram as much in as possible and not enjoying much. I know the holidays can be a bit sad and depressing for you if your relationship has ended this year. You want to be able to create some "holiday magic" for your kids and yourself and may be struggling with how to do that.
SelfGrowth.com emailed me a wonderful article today by Jim M. Allen giving you 7 tips to help reduce holiday stress and worry. I would like to share the article with you in hopes that it will help you relax and enjoy the true spirit of the season.
1. Make a List and Check it Twice
That's right, it's not just a line from a song...Santa actually sits down each and every day and makes a list of the things he needs to accomplish. The list helps him focus and keeps him rom standing around his North Pole workshop trying to figure out what's next.
Put the two or three most important things at the top of the list --the things that you absolutely MUST accomplish in a given day--and the less important ones at the bottom. Then do ONE THING at a time BEFORE you move on to the next one.
2. Put the Elves to Work
Ever see Santa at the mall? If so, you probably saw he had a handful of helpers on hand to help him round up the kids, keep them in line (literally and figuratively), and keep things going. Without those helpers, Santa could never do as much as he does in such a short time.
So put your elves and helpers to work. Don't be shy;tell 'em what you need help with and then stand back and let them go!
Not only is it a great way to get a lot of things done quickly, but it's a great way to share time with each other.
3. Say No
Sure, Santa specializes in making lots of Christmas wishes come true, but not all of them. (If he didn't say "no," every 10-year old boy would find a motorbike beneath his Christmas tree, and every 10-year old girl would find a pony.)
Not even Santa can do everything. And if Santa can't, you can't either.
So say "no" to those holiday parties that stress your schedule. Say "no" to baking another three dozen cookies. And, say "no" to Aunt Sallie's fruitcake.
4. Stop for Milk and Cookies
Traveling around the world in one single night, delivering toys to all the girls and boys, is a lot of work. A lot of work. But even then, Santa finds a little time for himself.
It's truly wonderful to do things for other people, but in order to do that, you have to take care of yourself.
Santa eats milk and cookies, and writes an occasional note, and sometimes (yes, I couldn't believe it, either) peeks inside your medicine cabinet.
So find some "fun" time for yourself and put it to good use.
5. Settle for Less
Santa learned a long time ago that it is just not possible to be "perfect" 100% of the time. As much as he tries, the occasional screw-ups happen...like when he knocks over the flowers while climbing in through the apartment window, or when he forgets to tighten the bolt "D" and Johnnie's handlebars fall off as he takes his first bike ride down the hill.
So Santa Just does the best he can, and if it's not perfect, so be it.
Or, as Santa likes to say, imperfect IS perfect!"
6. Do Something New
Rather than doing the same things year after year, Santa likes to mix things up and try new ideas and new approaches.
Not only does it keep things fun, but it helps him develop new traditions -- like that time he asked a young, awkward, red-nosed reindeer to guide his sleigh one foggy Christmas Eve.
7. Be of Good Cheer
Everyone knows that Santa is a right jolly old elf, but do you know why? It's because he CHOOSES to focus on the good things that take place int he holiday season.
So slow down, breathe deeply, listen to the carols and the sleigh bells, watch the glistening snow fall, laugh with the children playing, and let the spirit of the season lift you up.
Let Santa's stress-busting secrets calm you down so you can enjoy the yuletide season even more. With best wishes for a happy holiday season...and a very merry New Year!
Wishing you all good things....xo Sherri
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