It is so important to bring awareness into your life, especially around the Holidays when chaos and stress abound. Here are some helpful tips to get you through these chaotic times:
(1) Eat Well – Avoid sweets, caffeine, fatty foods and alcohol as much as possible. When at a party, eat small portions and avoid going back for seconds. Try to keep the offending foods out of the house or , at least, out of sight. Munch on fresh fruits and vegetables or freshly popped , low fat popcorn. Herbal holiday teas or sparkling juices are good substitutes for high calorie drinks.
(2) Rest – Taking a 20 minute” power nap” in the middle of the afternoon can definitely charge up your batteries and give you a better outlook for the rest of the day. If you can’t nap, at least take frequent breathing breaks, 2–5 minutes of deep, slow conscious breathing. Getting 6-8 hours of sleep per night is also essential. If insomnia is plaguing you, try taking a hot bath before bed or drinking a warm glass of milk. Avoid violent or disturbing television before bedtime and listen to soothing music to help you drift off to pleasant dreams. Various herbs, nutrients and homeopathics are also available to help you get a good nights sleep. Ask your health care practitioner for more information on what might work for you.
(3) Attitude – Make priority lists for your day or week to keep perspective as to what is really important to get done. Include “down” time for yourself and quality time with friends and loved ones. Notice how much you are re-acting to what is going on around you and how much of your actions are conscious choice. Is getting angry at that person who just cut you off helping the situation any, or would some deep breathing and pleasant thoughts make for a better day?
(4) Loving Actions – Make a conscious effort to do at least one kind, loving thing for a stranger or someone you know every day. It is amazing how quickly acts of kindness can spread . After all, Peace must begin within each one of us before it can spread to the rest of the world.
(5) Play – Above all else, bring play into your day. If this is all an Illusion anyway, you might as well make it a Fun one.
Wishing you all a Happy, Fun-filled, Loving Holiday season,
Christine Baranowski D.C.