Handling Holiday Stress
Ten Tips For Singles
by
Here we go again. Presents to buy, work to finish up, cards to write,
plans to make, events and parties to attend: and all those things we "must
do" because we've always done them.
Does this sound familiar? Do you go to sleep at night with the feeling
that you are hopelessly behind schedule, yet have made good use (overuse)
of your time? Do you experience even a small measure of dread as you
approach this season, and a large measure of relief when it's all over?
Most importantly, are you savoring any of the lovely sights, sounds,
smells and feelings that are unique to this time of year; or are you just
too tired and rushed to even notice? If this describes you, you are
probably suffering from holiday stress. Compounding this is the widely
held belief that this is just the way it has to be, and that your task is
to just get through it.
The following tips are designed to give you a new perspective on this all
too common problem. Read on, and see if you can make some small behavior
changes/additions that could result in a lot less stress and a lot more
enjoyment in the weeks ahead.
- If you have a fairly sizeable family/extended family to shop for, your
level of monetary, time and emotional stress can be very high. Therefore,
consider approaching your family about your present tradition of gift
exchanging. Growing in popularity is the system of drawing one name (of
one family member) to buy a nice gift for. Everyone in the family receives
one gift that another member had the time (and budget) to choose well. If
your family is resistant, you could opt for two gifts per person, or some
other compromise.
- Try a new tradition of having a shopping day with friends (or family).
Draw up your list, head for a nice mall or town center with great little
shops (even better) and make it a day of shopping, lunch and lattes. You could finish
with a late afternoon movie!
- Consider on-line shopping. This is a great way to save time and get
free gift-wrapping without the lines and headaches. It also allows more
time for you to choose just the right gift for each person. You can have
them mailed to you or sent to whatever address they will eventually be
going to.
- If you send cards, consider after Christmas cards or New Year's cards.
Why rush to send them before Christmas? The folks who receive them will
have more time to focus on your news after Christmas, and may even find it
more fun to receive something in the mail during the quiet "let down"
period that follows each holiday.
- Try to plan a few extra days off right before or during the
December-January holidays. Even one extra day could be useful to pack, get
an early start on travel, finish up last minute chores or errands, or
catch up on sleep and R&R. We often mistakenly assume we will feel more
rushed and behind if we take down time- the reverse is actually what
occurs.
- Do an inventory of your must-do. After you make your list, go through
each one and ask yourself is this activity really gives you pleasure or
serves your needs or the needs of a loved one. Cross off any that don't
answer yes to the above question. Make sure you are not doing things out
of rote because that's the way it has always been. If you have one or two
you are unsure of, put them at the end of your list of priorities. This
way, you can get to them if you have time after you have done the things
you know will be of value to you.
- Consider having a cleaning service come in at least once during the
next month. Imagine the extra time (and lowered stress) you would have if
someone else cleaned your bathroom and kitchen, washed your floors, dusted
your furniture, etc. What a nice gift to give yourself!
- Arrange to have a massage, facial, manicure or other spa treatment.
These are wonderful stress relievers. They are especially nice late in the
day at the end of a hectic few days. Afterwards, you can go out for a
quiet meal or go home and get some things done and then get a restful
night's sleep.
- Make sure you are doing some kind of regular exercise. This should be
part of your life 52 weeks of the year. However, during high stress
periods, it is more important. It is a fact that exercise increases energy
and positive self-esteem and decreases depression. It is also a way to
improve sleep and keep your weight in check.
- Try to get some extra sleep. You will probably have to begin
decompressing a little sooner than usual on those nights. Don't eat dinner
too late, or eat anything too heavy. Avoid alcohol those nights. Get ready
for bed and lie down with a good book or in front of a favorite show. If
you exercised earlier, this will help you to be more relaxed and ready to
sleep. Even one hour three times a week will make a difference in your
mood and energy level.
Read these suggestions over carefully and consider which ones might be
useful to you. After you have begun to implement them; take a deep breath,
sit back, and drink in some of the lovely sights, sounds and smells of
this cherished season.
©2003
is a psychotherapist, relationship coach and founder of http://www.consum-mate.com. As a recognized expert, Toni has been quoted in many local and national publications including; The Chicago Tribune, The Orlando Sentinel, New York Daily News, Indianapolis Star and Newsweek newspapers and Family Circle, Cosmo Style, Tango, Men's Health, Star (regularly quoted body language expert), and People magazines. She has been featured on ABC news, Discovery Health, AOL news, MSN, and Match. Toni is also the featured relationship coach in "The Business And Practice Of Coaching," ( Norton,September 2005); and is the author of the forward for," Winning Points With The Woman In Your Life, One Touchdown At A Time" (Simon and Schuster, November 2005). From March 2005 until December 2005, she was a weekly contributing commentator (love and dating coach) on the KTRS Radio Morning Show, (St. Louis, MO). Toni is a member of The International Coach Federation, The International Association of Coaches and The National Association of Social Workers.
Do you have an ideal "you" that you've always wanted to become? Most people do. However, so many people fail to achieve their personal goals
because THEY FAIL TO CHANGE THE PART OF THEIR MIND THAT REALLY CONTROLS THEIR LIFE. I'm talking about your incredibly important, incredibly
powerful SUBLIMINAL MIND.
The word subliminal means something that exists below the surface, or on the threshold of consciousness. The part of your mind that really
controls your life exists just below the surface of your conscious mind. It is the subconscious part of your mind that must be reached in
order to make permanent, positive changes.
There is no better way to reach the subconscious mind than with PERSONALLY TAILORED High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM!
Now you can reach that subconscious part of your mind and give it the instructions YOU WANT with High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM tapes
and CDs you create on your own computer.
High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM vs. Off-the-shelf Subliminal Systems
We've been in this business for over fourteen years, during which time we've come to realize that off-the-shelf subliminals do not work
for everyone for a very important reason: the creators of those subliminal message audio systems define the goal for you in their words, not yours.
High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM are 100% Guaranteed to Work!
Why are High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM guaranteed to work 100% of the time for everyone? Because you choose the messages that will be
embedded in your subconscious mind, and you choose the sounds that mask those High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM.
The #1 reason why off-the-shelf subliminals fail is because they are not customized to the exact goal you are striving to achieve.
If you don't fully comply with the message, then your mind will fight against it.
After years of research into the practice of subliminal messaging, we have determined that High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM
must do 7 essential things:
- Clearly define and communicate your goal to your subconscious in your words.
- Communicate the goal as if it has already happened, or is happening now.
- Phrase EACH suggestion 3 different ways for maximum impact.
- Attach positive emotions to the completion of your goal.
- Resolve any inner conflicts so your subconscious mind is clear on what you want it to do.
- Accomplish the above without any distraction to your conscious mind.
- Achieve the desired results fast.
The High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM guides titled SubliminalSecretsExposedTM(SSE) shows you how to perform all of the above,
whether your goal is to improve public speaking skills, recharge your sex life, beat phobias, or revitalize your health, or more!
Make your own High Performance Subliminal MessagesTM to achieve whatever results you desire!
