Coping With Holiday Stress

Here are some ideas provided mostly by students on how to enjoy this potentially busy time of year.



1. Focus on the giving part of the holidays. Gather old books and take them to the local shelter or get the family together and bring no longer used goods to a non-profit organization. It's fun to get together with the intention to give.



2. Shop early!!



3. Instead of cramming a number of celebrations into a day or two, spread out the festivities through January and February. You can get gifts after the official holiday when they all go on sale and have more time to spend with loved ones.


4. Avoid the malls as much as possible. If you're fed up with the commercialism and Christmas music before Halloween, then stay out of the mainstream stores for a month or two. You just might find more meaning and peace during the season.



5. Take a hatha yoga or meditation class!



6. Spend time to meditate and follow the breath even if just for a few minutes.



7. Take Vitamin D3. For more information on this vital supplement check out

http://mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/AN01558 and

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA358211.



8. Shorten your gift or card giving by omitting folks that you are no longer close with. A guideline for determining this is to ask, "If I was nearby this person, would we get together for lunch?"



9. Shop online. Here are a few places to consider:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/kriskramer

http://store.gxonlinestore.org/

http://www.worldgoodsgb.com/

http://www.gaiam.com/?gcid=S18376x028&keyword=giam

http://www.amazon.com/



10. If you enjoy spending time baking cookies, go for it! If you're feeling like it's "one more thing to do", purchase home baked goods from retirees or non-profit groups. You'll help someone out, enjoy fresh treats, and have a lovely gift to offer a friend.

11. Take a bath scented with lavender.

12. And finally, DRINK MORE WINE!





Have a blessed holiday season,


Kris
http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!