Making it through the "Holidays"

So, the question for today is this . . . How do we keep "STRESS" under control around the "holidays"???

Well . . . the biggest "stressor" at this time of the year . . . or really "any" time of year is . . .

"TIME MANAGEMENT"!!!

You see . . . "balancing" work . . . social events . . . family responsibilities . . . and just plain getting out of bed in the morning . . . can be "EXHAUSTING"!!!

And around the holidays . . . we tend to become . . . OVERACHIEVERS . . . taking on too much and too many holiday activities . . .

Which all leads to "burnout"!!

But PEOPLE . . . Did we "not" get the memo that says . . .

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the "MOST WONDERFUL" times of the year???

This is supposed to be a time of "joy" . . . "thankfulness" and "togetherness" . . .

But, in today's world . . . for many . . . it can also be a time of "depression" . . . "anxiety" . . . and emotional overwhelm.

Which can make it difficult to manage our "mental health"!!!

So, let me ask you this question . . . have you ever heard of the 5-5-5 rule for "anxiety"???

Well . . . there's a "grounding technique" . . . that involves using our "senses" to bring us back to the "present" moment . . . and "calm" anxious thoughts and feelings.

And it goes like this . . .

"Breathe" out for 5 seconds . . . empty the lungs and abdominal cavity to decompress the body . . . now breathe normally . . .

Okay . . . now "identify" . . . 5 things you can see around you . . .

This is where our "internal dialogue" comes into play . . .

Now . . . "listen" to 5 things you can hear . . .

And finally . . . "touch" 5 different "elements" around you.

This exercise is called . . . being "MINDFUL" in YOUR world.

Controlling the body's "mind" emotionally and physically.

You see . . . this method "redirects" our attention to the "PRESENT MOMENT" . . .

Which "breaks" the cycle of anxious thoughts!!!

And with this . . . it will lessen the "impulse" to "send" more than we have . . .

And lessen the "impact" to engage with difficult family members . . .

Why you ask . . . because YOU are now in CONTROL of your own DOMAN!!!!

You see . . . unfortunately in today's world . . . we quite often live in the mode of "depersonalization".

Which is being "detached" from ones self.

And with this . . . life becomes OUT OF CONTROL!!!

So, in this time of "thanks" . . . "joy" . . . and "togetherness" . . .

Let's try to remember the saying . . .

More time . . . less hurries

More fun . . . less worries

More smiles . . . less mess

More merry . . . less "stress"!!!

This year . . . be part of the "present moment" . . .

Relax and take in the "beauty" and "meaning" of the Holiday . . .

Things DON'T have to be "perfect" my friends . . .

Because . . . this isn't . . . a perfect world.

Learn to "decompress" . . . and enjoy the moment!!!

And make this holiday about . . . the "gathering" of hearts" . . .

So, I'll be taking a few days off from posting to be with family and friends . . .

And to give "thanks" for my "blessings" . . . and live in the "moment" of humanity!

But, I'll be back on December 1st . . . with more health tips.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving . . . and Love you all!!!