Seven Holiday Stress-busting Tips from the Experts by Jan Carley

What could be more stressful than a job with a 364-day build up that lasts just one night? A job that involves near-impossible physical output, wild environmental conditions, high stress and has the hopes and dreams of millions of children around the world riding on your performance? Yes, being one of Santa's reindeer is a tough job! I recently consulted Santa's Reindeer and asked them what they have learned over the years to minimize their holiday stress. Here's what they said: Tip #1 ASK FOR SUPPORT All of the reindeer agreed that prepping for the holiday season has to be a team effort. If you are trying to pull the sleigh all alone you will get exhausted pretty quickly. Who can help you with the decorating, the baking, buying gifts, the entertaining? Tip #2 SLOW DOWN The more hurry, less speed tip came from Dasher who told me he was much more effective when he was reined in. A lot of energy is wasted when we are frantically rushing from thing to thing. Consciously slow down this holiday season- reduce your speed, stop to smell the fir trees and wherever you are, remember to breathe. Tip #3 STRATEGICALLY SCHEDULE This tip came from Blitzen who said that rather than setting a schedule that has constant high levels of activity over several days that create exhaustion and burn out - it is wiser to schedule blitzes of activity that happen at your optimum physical and mental times. Let's say you are a morning person. Schedule an extreme blitz of activity on Saturday morning for 4 hours - schedule your high output activity to end at lunchtime. Then schedule in a nap to refresh you for the rest of the day. Do a blitz, then slow down and relax. Tip #4 HOLD A FUN INTENTION Fun-loving Dancer advises us to consciously hold a one word intention of Fun. Think about that intention in the 15 seconds before you pop out of bed each morning. Imagine how holding that intention will positively affect your day! Tip #5 HIRE A CLEANER Of course that piece of advice came from Comet. Don't waste a minute of this magical season with cleaning supplies in your hand. Instead - go outside and toss some snowballs with the kids. Tip #6 REMEMBER HOW SPECIAL YOU ARE Rudolph inspires us to focus on our unique gifts and how we can best contribute to this world. Ignore what everyone else is doing. You may not the person that was meant to struggle with making homemade shortbread. You may, instead, be better suited to leading the family singsong around the piano. What is your unique contribution? Rudolph found out that his shiny red nose was his gift. What is yours? Tip #7 REMEMBER WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT Cupid reminds us that this holiday season is really all about love. Focus your Gratitude Attitude and on a daily basis, count your blessings. Give thanks to that which is truly important and watch how the holiday stresses and pressures melt away and your positive emotions increase. Written by Jan Carley, Professional Certified Executive Coach, Creative Coaching Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada Download your Free 8-page 2014 REFLECTION GUIDE and create space for a 2015 of possibilities. http://www.teleseminarswithjan.com/reflection-guide.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8844827

Six Remedies for the Holiday Blues by Brandielee Baker

The holiday season is a jolly good time right? Well, for some, not so much. If you are one of the many people feeling the pressure to put on a cheery holiday persona when you are really feeling blue, these six remedies can help. Tell the truth! OK, I'm not saying you need to publicly broadcast it. But, if you want any chance of passing through the blues, you must, must, must, honor how you're REALLY feeling. Write it down AND speak out loud. Just "thinking" about it in your head will NOT produce the same beneficial effects. Here is an example to help you get started.EXAMPLE: "I am really feeling overwhelmed and sad this holiday season. It is important for me to acknowledge my struggles. I understand that by doing so I am releasing some of the pressure that I have put on myself to fit in and be happy. I also understand that by releasing this pressure I am giving myself the opportunity to relax and by relaxing I am giving myself the possibility for a better experience."

Get more air! Yes, you heard me right. Increased circulation and greater oxygen uptake is key. This is not only beneficial for removing the toxins and waste from your body, but also releases endorphins and changes your thought focus. So put on your earphones, play some upbeat music and get out there. Walk briskly and breathe deeply! 20 minutes a day is all it takes to make a difference.

Make sense with Scents! Our olfactory system, the fancy way of saying your sense of smell, has a very powerful effect on our moods. Scents like peppermint, rosemary, tangerine and lemon can be very uplifting. I will be releasing a more detailed article about aromatherapy in February, but until then find your favorite scents and sniff away!

Party Prioritize! You do not have to accept all your holiday invites. It's OK to say no and today I give you permission to do so. For the sake of YOU feeling well, limit your "have" to attend list to a MAXIMUM of 3-4 parties. HINT, HINT, before each party, do the exercise listed in Remedy #1.

List Your Awesomeness! OK, this may sound a little over the top, but hey what do you have to lose besides the blues? And umm, let's be honest here, your blues self-talk radio channel is NOT so positive or motivating. You do have the ability to feel better by getting your mind to focus on more positive self-dialogue. So, sit down and make a list of all the things you know you do well. Right now. Yes, get that pen out, or open your laptop, and start writing a list of what makes you amazing. What are you waiting for? And if you need someone to hold you accountable for just how great you are, send it to me!

Reach out for Support! OK, this is the most important one. Support is key for changing the blues for good. Why? Because that blues DJ is so awfully good at playing the blues songs like: nobody understands, nobody cares, I have to do it all on my own, I'm weak if I don't take care of it by myself. Sound familiar? Make today the day that you fire the blues DJ and get real. There is NO weakness in support! You matter this, and every, holiday season. You have the ability to get through these feelings. You also have the opportunity to get to the other side where you can authentically say, "I'm OK" and, "I DO feel better." Nobody else can do this for you, BUT that does NOT mean that nobody cares about you. And remember, I am only an email, or a phone call, away. May this New Year be your best yet! Wishing you complete success and health, Lee Baker Contact me for more information on the unique and powerful work I do at Positive Constructs. http://positiveconstructs.com/contact#sthash.BPC1l48l.dpbs Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8852615