Happiness is...

Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life.

- Burton Hills

Year in Review

Last year when I took stock of how the year went, all I could think about were all the ways in which I didn't succeed or meet some of the lofty goals I had set for myself. It was a pretty dreary way of looking back at the year, and to tell you the truth, I am not sure why my usually optimistic self took the glass half empty approach. It left me feeling discouraged and depressed.

This past year for me was one of difficult changes, constant struggle with chronic pain, and significant losses in my personal life too. The way life happened outside of my control threw all my plans into disarray, and I really didn't have a chance to work on anything except for survival in 2008. Instead of focusing on all the hopes, dreams and accomplishments that weren't fulfilled - I am choosing to review my year in terms of gratitude, appreciation for myself, for those who stood by me and supported me when things were really rough, for all the abundance that exists in my life. Making this list acknowledging all the wonderful people in my life and all the really loving and kind ways that I took care of myself despite the challenges was really empowering.

Even if your year was not as challenging as mine, even if it was just ok or even if it was absolutely fantastic - I encourage you to step back from accomplishment thinking and review your year through a lens of gratitude and appreciation. It feels really good to do it, and it's a really nice way to reconnect with the spirit of this holiday season.

Baby steps towards relaxation

One dynamic that is particularly challenging in our culture is balancing our innate needs for rest and movement. When we are super busy all the time, always moving, or regularly tense or anxious, our bodies bring us back into balance by catching those dreaded colds or flus to force us to stay home to rest and rejuvenate and return to homeostasis. If you don't want to end up stuck in bed this month, there are some easy techniques you can incorporate into your life to keep balanced. I suggest you schedule downtime for yourself and practice doing leisure activities. Just like when you begin an exercise program, you're most successful at reducing stress and relaxing if you take baby steps. Start with just 5 or 10 minutes three times a week.


Start with a leisure activity that gives you something to do while practicing rest and relaxation - reading a book, petting an animal, knitting or painting. Eventually you might add 10 more minutes onto your sessions and a few additional days a week and flex your skills with some intermediate activities such as reflecting on your life, writing in a journal, or drinking a hot beverage in a cozy room. As you work up to a deeper state of peace and calm and become adept at being still, you might try more advanced resting techniques like sitting and looking out your window to observe the weather, or meditating and quieting the mind. It might seem silly to practice relaxation like this, but I'm certain you know someone who just does not know how to slow down. Yet it's a skill that can be developed with practice - I promise. And the benefits to your health, your sanity and your well-being are priceless.

10 Tips for a Stress Free Holiday Season

1. Eat a Balanced Breakfast every day during the busy holiday season to manage your appetite and keep your energy up.
2. Sleep Enough each night so you'll be sure to make good decisions about what you're eating and how you're spending your time and money.
3. Put Your Well-being First by making self-care a priority. Make time daily to relax and rejuvenate so you look and feel your best.
4. Say No to commitments, events (and foods) that don't nourish you or enrich your life.
5. Go With The Flow when things don't turn out how you expect. Don't let hassles become roadblocks.
6. Cherish The Moment. Remember when you were a child and delighted in small and unexpected magical moments?
7. Smile Freely at everyone you encounter. Never underestimate the power you have to change a situation with warmth and friendliness.
8. Take A Break. There are only so many hours in the day, so put non-essentials on hold while you ramp up for the festivities.
9. Ask For Help when you need it, and return the favor when you can. That's what friends and family are for.
10. Indulge A Little. The holidays only come once a year, so give yourself permission to be joyful and have fun instead of bogged down with details and commitments.
    

Seasonal Blues

With the sudden plunge into darkness after the Daylight Savings Time changes, you might find yourself dealing with some winter blues. Do you find that you suffer from symptoms of fatigue, the blues, irritability or trouble focusing this time of year?

Well, according to the Mayo Clinic - you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. These symptoms may be caused by changes to your circadian rhythm due to less sunlight hours this time of year. If you feel down for days at a time and can't seem to get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you go see your doctor.

For the rest of us - simply adding more light to your day, exercising regularly, managing stress, keeping up social connections, or taking a trip to a warm sunny location can make a big difference. Read specific tips on preventing and managing seasonal blues here...