“Some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from Point A to 

Point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way”.

— Douglas Pagels

Joan Courtney, C.Ht., Unstuck Living

Been doing the holiday thing for years? You know what I mean. The decorating, hosting, gift shopping, traveling…and stressing yourself out to the max. And women in particular feel the crunch. Count yourself as one of them? From past experience, you know the end result. Missing out on the joy of the season. Depleting your energy level. Getting the flu. Snapping at the kids. And Old Man Depression hovers in the background from overwhelm. Bah humbug!

What’s The Good News?

Did you also know it’s possible to score some calm over the season? No chef, no personal shopper, or holiday miracles required. It’s your gift to yourself. Here are a few tips to help you on your way:

• Do a good deed daily. Researchers have long known that altruism (volunteering in a hospital, giving a neighbor a ride, visiting a shut-in) raises levels of the “feel good” brain chemical. And no selfless act is too small. Aim to perform a simple act of kindness every day.
• Check off completed tasks. A to-do list organizes life, so nothing falls through the cracks. That same list can also feel overwhelming, because it reminds you of all that is yet to do. Balance things by starting a “did it” list, noting completed projects and tasks. Acknowledging what you’ve done can turn feelings of anxiety into feelings of accomplishment. You can also adjust expectations by reflecting on how much you really did get done. And when, exactly, have you done enough for one day?
• Send sincere greetings. Yes, it’s easier to send a one-size-fits-all message to those on your holiday greeting list. But it’s also a missed opportunity. Select a handful of loved ones and take an extra moment to pen a personal note, perhaps a shared memory from the past. By communicating in a warm and heartfelt way, you can reduce stress by reinforcing connections in your social circle. Talk about special delivery!
• Bake a batch from scratch. An energetic, 97 year old friend told me she was baking Christmas cookies with her granddaughter over the weekend. She reminisced how she and her mother had done this, and that it was a precious family tradition. There is something special about getting in the flow, measuring, and mixing ingredients in a series of steps while chatting and visiting. Not to mention continuing that wonderful tradition. 
• Take a breather before bed. An hour or so before bed, turn off the TV, the computer, and any unnecessary lighting. Doing this will promote relaxation, and prime the body for restful sleep. Taking a step further, let those evening chores go and spend a few minutes in front of the fire or gaze at Christmas tree lights. A “do nothing” break allows you to clear your head, and be ready for a calm and productive tomorrow.

Yes, this time of the year can be the busiest, the most hectic…but the most precious if you make it that way. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Joan Courtney is a clinical hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner. Writing for Outdoors Southwest and other publications on the Mountain, she also ghostwrites bi-weekly posts for MacDuff, the Canine Executive Officer for Unstuck Living.