Holiday Self Care Survival Guide

It’s Christmas...once again!

Time for parties, family gatherings, eating and drinking. Merriment, right? But, for most of us, there’s a whole lot of extra stress involved.

There’s shopping and cooking and decorating to do.

Often travelling, too. And the flu bugs have already started to make the rounds.

And what about those situations? Those unavoidable encounters with certain family members or co-workers - the ones we choose to avoid most of the rest of the year?

Here’s a little gift for you. A holiday guide you can use to protect yourself from stress and sickness, and stay well and happy for the next 10 days - and beyond.

• Say no if you don’t want to go. You only have so much energy. If you’re tired and want to stay home...stay home!

• Avoid negative people. You know who they are. You always seem to feel ba-a-ad after being near them.

• Don’t shake hands. I know! It’s customary. It’s polite. But it’s the best and fastest way to pick up someone else’s bug. We have to start a movement to STOP shaking hands in our society. I usually smile and say “Sorry, I don’t shake hands in flu season.” No one has punched me yet

• Take your vitamins.

• Breathe and accept. Wise words from Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. If you feel yourself getting tense, bothered, stressed...breathe. Let go of the need to be right. Let go of the urge to control. On the other hand, don't let happy situations go unnoticed. Feeling joyful?...breathe. Be in the moment and feel grateful for it.

• Make lists and plan ahead. So you won’t get caught off guard if there’s a storm, for example. Or 6 extra people show up at your door.

• Enjoy the holiday fare, but eat and drink wisely. Small portions and 1 to 2 drinks a day, max. Sparkling water with lemon is a great substitute for a cocktail.

• Keep up your exercise routine. And get lots of sleep.

• Treat yourself! You deserve a bobble or two.

• Give and receive with an open heart. That goes for gifts...and love... too.

Enjoy the Festive Season and Stay Well!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

See you in January 2019 XX