Conquering The Holiday Let-Down

Do you feel a little let-down when Christmas is over and company goes home?

That's pretty normal, after you've spent weeks preparing for the big event and looking forward to seeing far-away family. Preparations may have dominated most of your free time lately, and now you're left with a "hole" in your schedule. And you may be feeling a bit lonely if loved ones have been here and now they're gone again.

So what to do? Personally, I take a little Feel5ive just to help me get back on track.Then I make myself busy with cleaning the house - because company always makes a bit of a mess.

Next, I get back to work. In addition to doing what must be done in the week between Christmas and the New Year, I take my "spare time" and set some goals for the coming year. Then I try to put them into a time schedule and write down some suggestions to myself about how I will accomplish them.

Planning for next year takes some focus and concentration, which means I don't have time to feel sorry that I can't keep my kids at home for the rest of their lives.

If your feelings are a little more extreme - as in true distress because you can't be with them and assuring yourself of their safety at all times - you might want to try the Bach Flower Essence Chicory.

First read about how Chicory can help you, then go to Feel Bach! to place your order.

Getting into the holiday spirit

Are you having a tough time this year getting into the spirit of the season?

I sure am - and it's all because of Mother Nature. We have no snow, and I never feel like it's Christmas unless I can see colored lights through a veil of falling snow.

Silly, isn't it?

But, in spite of that, we made the annual trek out into the forest today to find a tree. Now I just have to move furniture and do a little cleaning so it can come in the house. Then the smell of a a fir tree and the colored lights should do something to remind me of the season.

But what if you can't go cut a tree? I checked out the lot in town, and a 7' tree was $49 - plus tax. My guess is that in places farther from the tree farms, they cost even more. That makes it tough for families who have been hit by the economic crisis.

So, maybe they're using artificial trees. They're still spendy, but at least you only purchase them once.

The problem is, they have no aroma of pine or fir to stir the holiday spirit.

We had an email this week from someone who has written a great article on just what to do about that, and so decided to share it with you.

Bach Flower Essences can further your holiday spirit by allowing you to free yourself from hurtful emotional baggage, and then just enjoy the season, but if you need "tree scent" in a treeless home, check out this article.

Christmas Season is Officially Started!

Once the Thanksgiving Dinner dishes were done, the Christmas season had begun.

It can be a time of joy, happiness, and good-will - but it can also be a time when your nerves get frayed and your temper short, in spite of your best intentions.

Stores crowded with shoppers, heavy traffic in the parking lots, kids asking for every toy they've seen on TV, cats or dogs who pull the garland back OFF the tree every day, and the hurry-hurry to do every task you've set for yourself can really take a toll.

What to do? Keep your bottle of Feel5ive handy. Take a few drops morning, noon, and night - and in between if you need it. That will help keep you from stressing out. Once you're calm, instead of seeing the pushy shoppers, you'll see the joy on someone's face as they choose the perfect gift for a loved one.

Instead of screaming at the cat or dog, you'll move that garland to a different spot and stop to give your pet a moment of affection.

Instead of losing patience with the kids for wanting everything, you'll be able to sit down and explain that no one gets everything, so they need to really think about what they want most.

You might even regain your equilibrium enough to let the kids help you with that Christmas baking - and start a new family tradition.

Banish Stress this Holiday Season

Thanksgiving is behind us and the build-up to Christmas has already begun...

For some this is a time of joy and anticipation. They love the shopping, the baking, the decorating, and the parties.

For others it's a time to dread.

If you are one who dreads the Christmas season, why not turn it around - take control of the situation so you can enjoy it.

First, determine why you're beginning to feel stressed. Sit down with yourself and really think about it. Then make changes.

If money is the problem, remember that the people who love you are more interested in you than the money you spend on them. So give them some time - by spending time with them or by taking the time to use your imagination on inexpensive but thoughtful gifts - or both.

If you take on too many projects, decide which ones you don't enjoy and drop them! This is your life, so live it doing what you love to do. Say no when you want to, and don't offer an explanation.

If you're going to face people who always bring you down, remember that people who do that really aren't worth you worrying about. Either decide not to spend time with them, determine to ignore them, or get bold and call them at their game.

There's no law that says you must invite Cousin Mildrid to dinner if she's going to tell you for the tenth time that your stuffing is dry. But of course, if you feel like you must invite her to keep peace in the family, why not call and tell her to show up early - with stuffing in hand - since she doesn't like yours.

Think about those situations and what you could do - if nothing else you'll get a chuckle thinking about it.

If you're lonely, look around you. Someone else is lonely too, so reach out.

Meanwhile, do some things to lift your own spirits. Get outside and take a brisk walk - the exercise is energizing and clears your head. Turn on music you love and sing along at the top of your lungs. Even better, get up and dance while you sing - you'll be amazed at how good that feels.

Schedule time with a favorite friend for shopping and lunch. Set aside some one-on-one time with kids, parents, spouse, or anyone else who is important to you.

Take an evening off and curl up with a good book or a favorite movie.

Sit down and make a list of things you're thankful for. I know, Thanksgiving is over, but being thankful each day gives you a better attitude and helps kick the Law of Attraction into action to bring more of those good things into your life. Decide now to turn your focus to the good things in your life.

Turn off the TV - especially the news. If there isn't anything you can do about the problem, then ignore it.

If your self-examination revealed some emotional issues you need to deal with, go to Feel Bach! and take the questionnaire. Then get the Bach flower essences blend that's indicated and remember to take it. That bit of help with balancing your energies might be just what you need to give you the courage to make that call to Cousin Mildrid.

You deserve to feel good - and to enjoy the Holiday Season just as much as anyone else. It's not selfish - because the better you feel, the better the people who love you will feel. Even the people you work with will benefit.

So get busy - do something for you today.