Stressed out? Overwhelmed? Feeling a bit Crazy?

Holidays making you a little crazy??

Don't fret, there's hope! (Really) There's one week to go....here are a few tips that can help get you through the holidays without a visit from the men in white coats.

1. Breathe.......breathe in for 5 counts, hold for 5 counts and breathe out for 5 counts. Do this at least 3 times to keep oxygen in your body and to slow down!
2. Do at least one thing for yourself each day - call a friend, take a bath, meet a friend over coffee or glass of wine, have your kids or spouse rub your feet or give you a mini-massage. (I'm heading out soon to have lunch with my husband!)
   
3. Check your list and make sure you do the things you love to do and see which items you can forego this year, delegate to someone else, or streamline. (I don't bake, I'm not doing any outside lights this year and I may not get my cards out til New Years!)
4. Stop periodically to practice gratitude...notice the beauty around you, your friends, family, health, etc. Time passes too quickly, don't miss the goodies.
5. Remember-what you get done, you get done. Christmas will come whether you're ready or not.
   

The Grinch couldn't keep Christmas from coming, so who are we to question little Cindy Lew Who, "the best gift isn't from the store or under the tree, it's enjoying the important people in your life!"

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

BTW-give yourself something to look forward to AFTER the holidays: De-stress, relax and get energized for great things in 2010! Register for my retreat! Go to link: Women's Retreat for more info. or to register!

Be Grateful: 10 Ways to Enjoy Snow Days

It's a blizzard out there!

Time is limited this time of year, you have better things to do than read emails all day, so let me be brief. We tend to look at snow days as days to catch up on work and we don't take the time savor the "gift" we've been given. I've included some ideas that will help you take advantage of the free day. If you must do work, try to set some limits around it and make sure you get some time to enjoy the extra time you've been given.

Here are some ideas:

1. 
   Curl up on the couch with a good book and cup of hot cocoa.
2. Put together jigsaw puzzles with the kids.
3. Commiserate with your neighbors as you're cleaning off sidewalks and driveways.
4. Initiate a neighborhood snowball fight or snowman making followed by hot cocoa at your house.
5. Plan your spring break activities.
6. Have a movie marathon.
   
7. Ski down the middle of your street.
8. Cook "stone soup" using whatever you have in your cupboards and 'frig.
9. Tell stories about storms of the past
10. It's a "free" day, do whatever you want!!
    

PS: If you do not experience snow days and you are in a warm sunny climate.....never mind.

This is your life……make every day a spa day!

c.2009-Copyright by Mary Kay Aide and This Is Your Life Coaching LLC

Vitamin N for More Balance and Less Stress

I did a presentation today talking about my 5 Strategies for a Stress-Free Holiday. It went well and I think my favorite part was listening to the strategies audience members are already using to help make the holiday season more manageable and more fun. Here are a few of the ideas:

• Take everyone bowling or to a movie together
• Strategize and have a budget and plan before you shop.
  
• Adjust your activities to match the age group
• Plan low-keyed activities without the demands of elaborate events
  

My favorite suggestion and one I hadn't heard before was to take Vitamin N. What's vitamin N? Saying NO! What a great concept! So here's the general idea as the holidays get closer.....You don't have to do it all. Do what you love and what family members love and let the rest go. The more you try to meet everyone's expectations the less manageable and enjoyable the holidays will be. Your joy of the holidays is at least as important as everyone else's. Taking care of yourself and learning to say no will help you avoid the overwhelm and stress that is often part of the holidays.

Enjoy the holidays and don't forget to take your Vitamins!!

This Is Your Life (and Holiday)....Make it What You Want!