calming corners

The holiday season is officially here, we all know this means less time, more stress,  shopping, traveling, and indulging in a lot of food, family and all of those great …or not so great holiday parties. Since Thanksgiving is the first holiday and the introduction to the season, I consider this the training ground. Take this weekend and reflect how you want to remember the end of 2009. It is all based on your decision, actions and what you make of it.

Calming Corners put together a quick and calming guide to Thanksgiving. Let it help you prepare for a great holiday season, it all begins with some fun, discipline and acceptance.

Here are three quick and easy tips to get you through the weekend.

Move – We tend to eat and drink more during this time of year. Whether it is an exciting time with family and friends or a torturous evening, either way for most of us, overindulgence is inevitable. Here is the thing, most of us are already tired and burnt out, so overeating will not help the situation. If you decide to indulge more than usual, it is important to move. Keep up your workout regime and try to fit in some extra activity. Pop in a workout DVD, go dancing, or take that extra walk around the mall. Keeping up with your exercise will help you stay energized, healthy and relieve some stress.

Love – The holidays = family time. This can wonderful for some, and for others, just the thought is like nails across a chalkboard. Regardless, the experience starts with your attitude about the situation. Try to embrace acceptance, people are going to be people and some will not change. The best thing to do is accept them and keep it moving. Remember, never let anyone have so much power over you that they shake your happiness, that is too much control for them and weakness on your part. I understand that each family situation is different, but love and acceptance starts with you and how you feel about yourself.

Limit – Overindulging in anything too quickly is not a good look. You know your limit, so please act like it. That third plate is not going to help you later. Understand yourself enough to know your boundaries. Next weekend is the training ground for the next month. As the holidays really set in, the stress increases, the time is less and once again you have the decision to make your holiday season joyous or grinchy. Know your limit with food, shopping, family, friends and stress. Just think of this question before you act, will this decision empower or disempower me and what is the purpose? Think long term instead of short term gratification.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xo,

CC