Guest
post by Jenny Gallagher, ERYT
Ready or not, here come the holidays, and if you have a hectic lifestyle then
the added pressure may leave you feeling anything but jolly. To make the most out of this time of year
it’s important to stop on occasion. The
saying “stop to smell the roses” is a great reminder that it’s the simple
things in life that can bring the most beauty and joy. Holidays are meant to be joyful but
ironically the feeling of joy can easily shift to bah-humbug if you are not
careful.
Wellness
comes from a sense of well-being and if you are stressed out then you, and
probably the people around you, won’t have much fun. Here are some wellness tips to get you not
only through the holidays but to be more happy, healthy and productive throughout
the year at work and at home.
Prioritize.
If you are already overcommitted then taking on more will add
stress. Make a list (and check it twice)
of all the things you would like to accomplish and prioritize them in order of
importance. Start at the top and don’t
worry if you never make it to the bottom of the list.
Delegate.
Santa doesn’t do it all and neither should you. Look at your list and see if anyone can help
you with it. It’s important to get the
entire family involved but make sure they get tasks they would enjoy. If someone enjoys wrapping presents or
decorating then let them, even if they won’t be done exactly the way you would
do it. If no one in the family wants
to do a task then re-examine its importance.
Moderation.
We all know too many rich foods can pack on the pounds, which is one
gift most of us do not want. Whether
it’s the traditional foods are that you enjoy during Thanksgiving, Chanukah,
Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Years, or just the extra treats in the office, remember
to go easy. These foods can be hard on
the digestive system and if you are already feeling stressed then the central
nervous system is operating in the sympathetic response which is known as
‘fight or flight’. This means less blood
flow goes to the digestive and immune systems, and makes it easier to get sick
during this time of year.
Relax.
Even if it means scheduling some time to do so. Just 10 minutes of relaxing in a hot tub,
reading a good book, or playing with the children or pets can rejuvenate
you. The central nervous system has two
ways of responding and the other is the parasympathetic response. This is known as ‘rest and digest’ and when
you relax more blood flow is diverted to the digestive and immune system. If you want to feel well this is the best way
to do so.
Get some exercise.
It doesn’t need to be a lot.
Maybe just enjoy the long walk from the back of the crowded parking lots
or take the stairs at work.
Have some fresh fruit and
vegetables. These foods will give you energy and
nutrients plus they are easier to digest than heavy, rich foods.
Be aware.
Noticing how you feel is so important because negative feelings are like
the caution lights in your car. If over
doing it makes you feel resentful, tired or angry then take a moment to stop
and breathe. Just a few moments focusing
on the breath can help you to move into the parasympathetic response and that
may be all you need to feel better. Or
see if you can cancel an appointment or reschedule the trip to the mall.
Take advantage of fewer meetings. Since many people take time off
during the holidays this can be a great time of year for you to do so as
well. Or if you do have to work maybe
you can spend some time getting to those tasks you normally can’t get to.
Gratitude. Good feelings make you feel well. Take time to feel gratitude for the things
you have in your life. Everything is a
gift. When you realize you are entitled
to nothing you appreciate everything, even the old cell phone, computer or smaller
bonus.
Give.
When you give you receive and giving can come in many simple ways. Give away a few smiles, donate some money, or
volunteer some time if you can. You’ll
be amazed how much better you will feel.
The New Years Intention.
As you move into New Years it’s a great opportunity to think about the
future. Consider setting an intention
versus a resolution because resolving means solving; which makes your goals
seem like problems. An intention on the
other hand is what you want to bring about. Simply shifting from problem to
promise can make all the difference in your success. Planning is an important next step to
success; and so is action. If there are
several things you want to accomplish then create manageable steps in your goal
setting. You don't need to start
everything on January 1. If you are not good at planning then consider working
with a life coach to help you.
About the Author
Jenny
Gallagher is a life and business coach, wellness consultant, public speaker,
yoga teacher. She is the author of Four Steps to a Better Life and
forthcoming YEN PATH ~ A Method for
Fulfilling Your Desires. She also
has over twenty years of experience as a project leader, consultant,
facilitator, mentor, and trainer.
Jenny’s vision is success and wellbeing for all who desire it and her
mission is to encourage and foster positive thought and action. Jenny works with people privately over the
phone so location is never a problem.
She also offers workgroups and workshops nationally. For more information you can go to www.gallaghersolutions.com, www.jennygallagher.com,
