It’s that time of the year again. Children laughing, people passing, spreading holiday cheer. Shopping carts and ankles meeting, credit card bills a-piling and children in tears. We all love and hate this time of the year. The ups and downs to spending time with family, the Christmas lights twinkling, the resulting light bills, the rich and delicious foods, the higher numbers as you peek down at the scale. So much to look forward to.
This truly is an awesome time of the year. A time of giving and love; gratitude and reflection; and family and friends. We let all the material nonsense get in the way and lose sight of the true meaning of the season.
Here are 5 tips to get you through the hard times and to help you enjoy this wonderful season:
1. Be grateful and express gratitude. It’s so easy to focus on your wants and desires, but what about what you already have? Take time to say thank you. That neighbor that brought in your mail while you were sick. That family member that calls just at the right moment. That job that came just in time. Your child that is doing even just a little bit better than last month. Thank God who comes right on time with all of the above. Expressing gratitude releases all those feel good hormones that will help add a little pep in your step when your feeling down.
2. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty all around you. The trees, the lights, the colors, the music. I love walking down city streets and through department stores. The beautiful chaos of shoppers and decorations, Santa’s and reindeer, children and toys. The Nativity scene alone stirs feelings of love, faith, charity and hope. Don’t miss all the beauty by unnecessary worry. Take a breath and enjoy!
3. Relax. Seriously, just chill. Your family will still love you if the floors don’t shine just so. Your friends won’t judge if the bows are slightly tilted on their presents. Life is too short to waste your time trying to making everything perfect. Please let your friends and family in, grab a glass of egg nog and enjoy yourself. You really don’t want to hear about how fun your get together was on Facebook because you spent the whole time in the kitchen.
4. Follow the 80/20 rule. Please indulge in that sweet treat you’ve been looking forward to. Eat plenty of roasted vegetables, lean meats, and healthy grains and then add a few of the more indulgent items. There should be no deprivation during the holidays. Enjoy yourself.
5. Give. Give and then give some more. Give your time, help with a food drive, volunteer at a Senior Center, take some time and visit your elderly neighbor. Donate food to a pantry, your church, a homeless shelter. Drop change in every Santa’s bucket that you pass. Call in donations to organizations, give your old coats to shelters. Give and then give some more. Smile and wish strangers a happy holiday. Call a friend that’s struggling through the season. Bring food to someone who has to work on the holiday. Give hugs and kisses, share kind words, send Christmas cards. Tell people you love them. Give and give some more.
Love, faith, hope, charity are some of the reasons for the holiday season. Crank up your favorite Holiday music, sing and dance and have fun. Get rid of all negativity and free yourself to embrace all the wonder this time of year offers.
I send to you hugs and love. Always.
vvhealth 
Recent Comments