10 Tips to Keep Energized (and Calm!) During the Holidays
Are the holidays a blur of cookies, cards, presents, wrapping, tree, menorah candles, decorations, new clothes, visitors, travel, and parties? You get overloaded and exhausted just thinking about it--even if you adore the celebrations, family, and friends.
When the rush and worry get to you, these ten tips will energize and relax your holiday season.
With a balance of energy and calm, you'll get things done and enjoy your cherished memories.
1.
Drink more water.
It cleans out your body, fills you up, and provides extra oxygen for your busy brain (that's why there's an "O" in H2O).
Keep a mug nearby, or if you don't like water, try tea, a spritzer with lemon or eat a tangerine.
2.
Smell your tree--or that tangerine.
Good smells stimulate nerves and the release of adrenaline, the energy hormone.
Smells remind you of years past--plus they bring you back to the moment.
3.
Brush your teeth with minty toothpaste.
It stimulates your sense of taste and smell, wakes up acupressure points in the mouth, and reduces the urge to nibble cookies.
4.
Tug on your ears.
Speaking of acupressure points, your ears have tons of them.
Acupressure points connect to rivers of healing energy inside your body, according to Eastern medicine.
If you don't have time to visit an acupuncturist, just gently pull your ears--at the tops, sides, and down.
5.
Exhale.
Don't take a deep breath (yet).
first exhale allllll the air out.
Keep exhaling.
Usually we just exhale the "tidal" air in our lungs.
Breathing out the residual air helps you let go and take a fresh new breath.
6.
Hum or sing.
It helps you breathe better and the vibrations invigorate your body and senses.
Try Jingle Bells or Joy to the World! 7.
Twist.
Spread your arms wide.
Exhale and turn to the right.
Inhale as you return to center.
Then do the same on the left side.
Repeat 3 times each side.
Great for your organs, say yoga teachers.
8.
Get rid of stuff.
Our brains and bodies work hard to manage all the wonderful items we possess.
Clear a coffee table, give away unused clothes, reduce your supply of Christmas items you have just for memories.
9.
Light a fire.
Turn off the lights and cozy up to the warmth and light of a fire--or candles in your fireplace.
The light and heat of fire touch a primal, cozy connection to nature.
10.
Volunteer.
Even just a few hours in a soup kitchen, baking cookies for a retirement home, wrapping a present for a giving tree reminds you that you're part of something bigger.
Remembering there's a bigger perspective, especially for Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukkah, highlights the purpose of the celebrations.
Finally, print this list and keep it at hand.
It's easy to forget even the simplest energy-boosting ideas when you're caught up in day-to-day tasks.
A printed list in your calendar or on the fridge will remind you to nurture yourself during this wonderful season of togetherness, love, and peace.
© Sondra Kornblatt 2003-2006
When the rush and worry get to you, these ten tips will energize and relax your holiday season.
With a balance of energy and calm, you'll get things done and enjoy your cherished memories.
1.
Drink more water.
It cleans out your body, fills you up, and provides extra oxygen for your busy brain (that's why there's an "O" in H2O).
Keep a mug nearby, or if you don't like water, try tea, a spritzer with lemon or eat a tangerine.
2.
Smell your tree--or that tangerine.
Good smells stimulate nerves and the release of adrenaline, the energy hormone.
Smells remind you of years past--plus they bring you back to the moment.
3.
Brush your teeth with minty toothpaste.
It stimulates your sense of taste and smell, wakes up acupressure points in the mouth, and reduces the urge to nibble cookies.
4.
Tug on your ears.
Speaking of acupressure points, your ears have tons of them.
Acupressure points connect to rivers of healing energy inside your body, according to Eastern medicine.
If you don't have time to visit an acupuncturist, just gently pull your ears--at the tops, sides, and down.
5.
Exhale.
Don't take a deep breath (yet).
first exhale allllll the air out.
Keep exhaling.
Usually we just exhale the "tidal" air in our lungs.
Breathing out the residual air helps you let go and take a fresh new breath.
6.
Hum or sing.
It helps you breathe better and the vibrations invigorate your body and senses.
Try Jingle Bells or Joy to the World! 7.
Twist.
Spread your arms wide.
Exhale and turn to the right.
Inhale as you return to center.
Then do the same on the left side.
Repeat 3 times each side.
Great for your organs, say yoga teachers.
8.
Get rid of stuff.
Our brains and bodies work hard to manage all the wonderful items we possess.
Clear a coffee table, give away unused clothes, reduce your supply of Christmas items you have just for memories.
9.
Light a fire.
Turn off the lights and cozy up to the warmth and light of a fire--or candles in your fireplace.
The light and heat of fire touch a primal, cozy connection to nature.
10.
Volunteer.
Even just a few hours in a soup kitchen, baking cookies for a retirement home, wrapping a present for a giving tree reminds you that you're part of something bigger.
Remembering there's a bigger perspective, especially for Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukkah, highlights the purpose of the celebrations.
Finally, print this list and keep it at hand.
It's easy to forget even the simplest energy-boosting ideas when you're caught up in day-to-day tasks.
A printed list in your calendar or on the fridge will remind you to nurture yourself during this wonderful season of togetherness, love, and peace.
© Sondra Kornblatt 2003-2006
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