Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Keep Calm and Carry On ? Through the Holidays ? The Full Moxie ...

If you?re like me, you?re in complete denial that Thanksgiving is Thursday, which means the holiday season is in full swing, and I?m not remotely ready. Flutters of panic are beginning to settle in. Between launching my out-on-my-own business, travel obligations and finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list, it?s going to really start to wear on me. I know it. In addition to yoga breathing and a bottle of cider or two, I?m going to try and keep in mind Marla Tomazin?s?Seven Tips for Staying Sane over the holidays.

?Most of us don?t realize just how demanding the holiday scramble can be until we?re exhausted, overwhelmed, or even sick,? points out Marla, who has been an image consultant for 20 years after earlier experience in the fashion industry. ?The good news is, with a little prior planning and prioritizing, you can enjoy and cherish the things that are most important to you without having to run on fumes to make it through New Year?s Eve!?

I thought I?d share them with you, in case you may be in need of these holiday sanity-saving tips as well?

1. Make a list and check it twice. As a list-maker, this one isn?t too hard for me to tackle. From Christmas cards to gifts to what I?m going to pack to chores around the house, I have a list for it all. Lists keep me organized and on track. But don?t put too much on your lists ? be realistic. And add some fun, too! Do you keep lists?

2. Give yourself the gift of health. No matter what I have going on, I really, really try to keep on my workout schedule. Now eating healthy, that?s another story, and something I need to be better at doing. I do alright, but I can give in to temptation (read: cookies). Maybe I should throw some more veggies in to balance things out.

3. Go on a date?with yourself. It?s sometimes hard to take time for yourself once the holiday season starts, between family obligations, lunches with friends and office parties. But you should make it a priority to take time for yourself, by yourself. For me, that means a mani/pedi, probably in a holiday color (if you count black as a holiday color!), unplugged from my cell phone, rather flipping through gossip mags.

4. Plan ahead. This one seems pretty obvious, but the more you can do ahead of time, the less stress you?ll feel. This is definitely one I need to work on!

5. Let yourself off the hook, and be okay with that. This one, this one can be very challenging. I know that I hold myself to some pretty high standards, and others may not know that I didn?t achieve everything I?d wanted to for the holidays. But I know. Marla suggests keeping focus on what?s really important ? I?m going to give that a go!

6. Say no. One of the hardest words for a lot of us to say is, ?No.? No, I can?t make the entire Christmas dinner. No, I can?t bake 10 dozen cookies for a cookie exchange. No, I can?t work late to cover your shift. Chances are, we do a lot of things throughout the year to help others, so a ?no? every once in a while won?t hurt too much.

7. Give yourself a gift (or two). Now, this one can be easy! When shopping, if you see something that strikes you ? especially if it?s on sale! ? go ahead and get it. You deserve it, after all!

?Ultimately, you don?t have to completely overhaul the way you approach the holidays to savor the upcoming season instead of feeling stressed by it,? Marla concludes. ?By putting some prior thought into what you find most meaningful and important, and by acknowledging the importance of your own health and sanity, you?ll find that this is once again ?the most wonderful time of the year?!?

Now, go on and enjoy Thanksgiving and the holiday season ahead!

?

Susan

Susan Barnes is a travel writer, editor and photographer. A proud Army brat, she was born on a military base in Belgium and has been on the go ever since. Email Susan at susan@thefullmoxie.com

More Posts ? Website

Follow Me:
Twitter

Source: http://thefullmoxie.com/2012/11/19/keep-calm-and-carry-on-through-the-holidays/

willis mcgahee ship aground off italy nfl playoff schedule 2012 nfl live saints vs 49ers vanessa marcil 49 ers

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.