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.

Springtime - a time of joy or depression?

Spring is here - at least that's what the calendar says.

But alas, here in North Idaho it forgot to arrive. Instead of looking out the window at daffodils and tufts of green grass, we watched the snow sliding from our roof all day.

It could be easy to get depressed over that, but our soil really did need extra moisture after several mild winters, so we're all working hard to pretend it doesn't matter if we can't plant our gardens in time to grow more than lettuce and spinach this year.

Unfortunately, for some the long winter just adds to a depressed frame of mind. And others will be pulled into deeper sadness by this coming week-end. Most Americans will be celebrating Easter - with religious services or with colored eggs and chocolate bunnies - or both. But most will be celebrating somehow, and usually with friends and family.

For those who don't have friends or family nearby, it can be a tough week-end.

If that's you, Bach Flower Essences can help. They can't change the weather, and they can't directly bring people into your life to ease lonliness, but they can help you cope.

Plus, if lonliness is getting you down, by rebalancing your energies, flower essences can help you project a more positive attitude toward the world, which very often results in bringing new and wonderful people into your life.

When we get down, we spiral further down and people tend to shy away because it just isn't much fun to be around someone who is unhappy. But when our own attitudes begin to lift and we begin to accept and embrace the joy and good that surrounds us, people feel that and are drawn to us.

If you feel "down" you may not even be sure why, but the questionaire at Feel Bach! can help you sort it out.

I wish you joy - this week-end and all year long...