Families gather over the holidays, and even the most “healthy” families can have difficulty trying to balance getting along with each other and not feeling stressed by expectations.
A few suggestions may go a long way in helping you create a happy holiday:
Don’t strive to be perfect or have a “perfect” holiday. While you can plan and prepare that special dinner and event, allow things to flow and don’t worry so much about controlling outcomes. Not everyone is going to live up to your expectations (probably not even yourself), so let go of those expectations for perfection. Remember “all is well” in the greater scheme of life.
Reach out to others. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out people and events that can support you. Or volunteer to help someone else or an organization. This can be a good way to lift your own spirit while you are helpful to another.
Practice healthy boundaries.Be sure you are saying “yes” to what you really want to do. Many requests can come during a holiday, so be selective and don’t overload yourself and your schedule. Commit to what you know makes sense and keep those commitments.
Manage your time. Keep a notepad in a designated place to schedule errands, items needed, etc. This will be the “go to place” for new thoughts and ideas that come up.
Don’t abandon healthy habits. Be sure you are taking good care of yourself, whether it’s continuing to exercise, meditate for 10 minutes a day, or whatever helps you stay grounded. Even though many more delectable delights are available, you can still eat in moderation or make a different choice one day over another. Let go of guilt and know that you may eat a little more home-made sweets if that is your tradition. You will get back on track through intention.
Allow yourself to trust your feelings. If something has occurred (loss of a loved one, divorce, illness) that has made you sad, it is normal to feel and to express your feelings. You can’t make yourself happy just because it’s the”season to be jolly.”
Be love. I like to think of the holidays as a special time to be kind and loving to all people you meet on your path, whether it’s the person at the grocery store in front of you in the long line, or the one who takes the last item you really wanted in the bin at the department store. Know that “things” are just things and that how you are being is what counts in the greater scheme of life.
Laughter is good for your health. When you hear laughter, travel toward it. Spend time with fun, playful people. Be able to laugh at yourself and life’s absurdities by finding humor in everyday events.
What are the benefits of laughter?
Laughter:
♥ Increases our DHEA levels (anti-cancer fighting).
♥ Relaxes the whole body and relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
♥ Boosts the immune system and decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
♥ Triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural fee-good chemicals and promotes an overall sense of well-being that can even relieve pain.
♥ Protects the heart by improving the function of blood vessels and increasing blood flow.
Laughter can dissolve distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious or sad when you’re laughing. It can help you recharge and shift your perspective into a less threatening light. Remember your thoughts become things.
The word “angel” is derived from the Latin “angelus” and the Greek “angelos” meaning “one going” or “one sent,” also “messenger.”
The belief that God sends a spirit to watch over every individual was common in ancient Greek philosophy. In the Middle Ages it was believed that the heavens and the stars and all of the cosmos were alive, full of angels and God. In numerous faiths, angels are mentioned.
Since the beginning of time, angels have delivered God’s messages to humankind. From a spiritual, academic standpoint, angelic messages were primarily intended to provide:
♥ warnings of impending danger
♥ instructions as to what to do in a particular situation
♥ information that angels are there to protect
♥ joyful announcements.
In metaphysics, angels are said to have great power and long to be made use of, desiring us to call on them to request assistance. So in addition to requesting assistance from the angels, how might we know signs from them?
Signs that the angels are drawing close or making contact include:
♥ unexpected, intuitive knowledge that comes to you
♥ an instant feeling of well being or love
♥ a warmth in your heart
♥ a movement of energy like a “breeze of light”
♥ a fragrance in the air like a presence
♥ soft strands of music that may linger as if floating in the distance
♥ a movement of material or physical matter (something is missing and then found)
♥ appearance in the clouds of an image
♥ the sound of birdsong
♥ a dream in which an important feeling or message is given.
According to some angelologists, the most angelic signature of an angel, however, is the white feather!
The ancients were very in tune with their bodies and what foods would promote health. They were masters at selecting specific foods that would nurture their bodies and prevent disease.
Research has subsequently shown that your longevity is based one-quarter on your genetics and three-quarters on your behavior and lifestyle choices.
So, then, what essential foods might aid you in promoting healthy living? Here are just a few:
♥ Almonds: Considered the #1 healthy food choice; high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
♥ Apple: Cleans teeth and gums; lowers cholesterol and detoxifies the body.
♥ Cabbage: An excellent anti-inflammatory that helps disinfect the colon, reduce the pain of headaches and rheumatic disorders.
♥ Celery: Helps reduce high blood pressure and purifies the blood.
♥ Figs: Contain a powerful healing agent that soothes mucous membranes and contains a bactericide, an anticancer ingredient.
♥ Flaxseed: A tonic for kidneys that encourages healing; flaxseed tea is said to help bronchitis.
♥ Garlic: Cleanses the blood and helps to create and maintain healthy bacteria population; boosts the immune system; tones the heart and circulatory system.
♥ Honey: Soothes inflammation; helps retain calcium in the body; mix with vinegar to relieve arthritis.
♥ Olives: An antioxidant; olive oil can lower cholesterol levels and is said to slow down the aging process.
♥ Onions: Cause the body to release toxins; increases blood circulation; works as an antibiotic and draws out infection.
♥ Vinegar: Helps more efficient use of calcium in the body and encourages strong bones, hair, and nails.
♥ Walnuts: Strengthens the gums and acts as an anti-inflammatory; encourages circulation; help keep the heart healthy.
Incorporate these foods into your next shopping list. Research also shows that if you perform a good habit for three years, the effect on your body is as if you’ve done it your whole life!
Your thoughts create your reality. One of the major problems with unconscious fear is that the brain can be in a state of constant anticipation of negative things. We then focus our attention to look for ways to validate these fears. From an evolutionary perspective, this act was meant to protect us. Fear is the gatekeeper of our comfort zone.
In modern times, these primitive fears keep us bound and are no longer helpful. What is helpful is to begin to think and respond differently, to hold a positive outlook.
The Benefits of Optimism:
♥ Research shows that optimism leads people to better overall health.
♥ Optimistic people are generally “luckier,” more successful, and regarded as more appealing.
♥ Based on the Law of Attraction (Like attracts like), by being optimistic, you will draw positive outcomes to yourself.
♥ Studies have shown that imagining positive outcomes releases fear.
♥ The more optimistic you are, the more you create a pattern of response that perpetuates your positive feelings.
Here are some steps to bringing about more positive thinking:
♥ Recognize what is NOT happening in your life that you would like to have happen.
♥ Identify what you CAN do to make it happen and focus on that.
♥ Fear and optimism cannot occupy the same space, so the more optimistic you can be and feel, the less fear you experience.
♥ Focus on one thing that makes you happy, that you are grateful for, and bring this into your mind whenever you experience a fearful thought.
You may be surprised that small steps toward optimism can bring about big changes.
Families gather over the holidays, and even the most “healthy” families can have difficulty trying to balance getting along with each other and not feeling stressed by expectations.
