5 Simple Ways to Tame Holiday Stress Today
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Holidays come pre-packaged with stress – thanks
to relatives, airports, malls and bills. The usual demands of the
holiday season can stretch your physical and emotional limits, and if you
are not prepared, leave you so stressed you are unable to enjoy special
times. With all the shopping, cooking, planning, spending, and traveling,
it is so easy to fall into the trap of doing too much, ignoring our own
needs, and ending up in meltdown mode. A sense of control lessens
the stress load. Cultivate the conscious intention to care of yourself and
those holiday obligations in a more centered way. Here are five
simple ways to tame holiday stress and nurture your own spirit:
1. Start Early. Give yourself plenty of time to get prepared. The
earlier you get things done, the more time you’ll have to enjoy parties
and other holiday activities. When preparing for holiday events and
activities, allow plenty of time to avoid unneeded stress and last-minute
rushing.
2. Avoid Caffeine. Coffee, tea, cola, ‘energy’ drinks and
chocolate are used so unconsciously in our culture that most users have
no idea they are mind-altering drugs. These caffeine containing foods
and drinks can make you feel jumpy, anxious, and fearful. They can
interfere with your ability to relax and sleep, thus compounding holiday
stress. Try herbal teas blended for relaxation.
3. Lighten Up. Some people are especially sensitive to lack of
sunlight. Since daylight is scarce in winter months, holiday blues can be
amplified. Exposure to full-spectrum lights may brighten your spirits. Try
to get outside for a while each day, preferably for some exercise or a
meditative walk. 20 minutes outside right now will make you feel better.
4. Exercise. A brisk walk, a group fitness class, or thirty minutes
of strength training can naturally relieve holiday-induced tension.
Exercise also helps neutralize the damage Christmas cookies and
eggnog reek on waistlines. Acknowledge that you probably will not
always have time for your full workout routine during the holidays, and
plan for that. Do what you can, but don’t stop.
5. Breathe. Conscious breathing is the single most effective
relaxation technique. When you feel like a Christmas cookie about to
crumble, try this simple yogic breathing exercise…it’s simple and can be
done anywhere:
-Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind
your upper front teeth. Keep it there during the exercise as
comfortable.
-Exhale completely through your mouth, making a ‘whoosh’ sound.
-Next, close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a
mental count of four.
-Hold your breath for a count of seven.
-Then, completely exhale through your mouth, making a ‘whoosh’
sound to a count of eight.
This is one breath cycle. Now, inhale again and repeat the
cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.
Knowing the difference between changeable and unchangeable
sources of stress does require wisdom. A positive attitude is an
invaluable tool. An optimistic focus is essential for enjoying the holidays,
or at least surviving holiday stress. After you have done what you can,
go with the flow.
© 2005 Karen B. Cohen All Rights Reserved.
Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga
instructor, writer and speaker residing in a college town in rural Virginia.
Karen leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality
so that they can express their talent and abilities fully in the world. She
incorporates her expertise in mind-body techniques to teach clients how
to harness stress for their greatest success. Karen provides seminars
and workshops, as well as individual coaching and training, nationally
and internationally. For more information go to KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com
and RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com
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The Christmas Present
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I always loved things with wheels. The greatest thrill for me was climbing into my wagon, giving a little push and off I went, down the longest hill in the world. I knew that any slight twitch on the handle would send me spinning on to the unforgiving concrete, ripping open my nine year old knees and elbows, but that made it just that much more exciting. After the wagon had self destructed, I went looking for an old skate to make into a skate board. It would be fifty years before you could buy a skateboard in a store, but I didn’t want to wait. The front half of the clamp-on skate I nailed to one end of a two foot piece of two by four and the back two wheels to the other end. It wasn’t necessary, but since I wanted a deluxe model, I attached a vertical piece on the front for steering. Roller bearings souped up with a squirt from Dad’s oil can allowed a pretty decent speed down the hills.
My year younger brother and I didn’t have a bike, but Christmas was coming and you never know. We had just moved to a small four room bungalow and there was little
money for presents. We both pored over our Christmas lists, allotting two dollars to each family member. Storing the much folded list in my pocket, my mother took us to the local five and ten cent store to pick out our gifts. I usually tried to give two gifts, one hand made by myself and one store bought. I never had much faith in the hand made gifts and even to me they looked worthless. I don’t know what my father did with all those ties, gloves, and belts, but we had a great time giving them. My parents always waited for us to be in bed on Christmas Eve before they set up the tree and placed the presents. One reason was that my father waited until Christmas Eve to buy the tree. It seldom cost more than two dollars and copious amounts of aluminum icicles filled most of the spaces. We were too awed and happy to wonder where everything so suddenly came from to ask any questions. We chalked everything up to Santa Claus.
After getting about three hours sleep, my parents called us into the living room. There in front of a ceiling high Christmas tree stood the biggest bike I had ever seen. Gleaming black fenders covered fat white wall tires. A wire basket hung on the handle bars and a spring carrier sat on the back. All the chrome sparkled like new and the leather seat looked impossibly high. I don’t know if it was foresight or just luck, but I didn’t mind at all that it was a girl’s bike. I never could have mounted a boy’s bike, especially a twenty
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Christmas In England
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The people of England are well known for their Christmas celebrations, dating back to the legendary King Arthur who made” merrie” in York in 521 celebrating with “minstrels, gleemen, harpers, pipe-players, jugglers, and dancers.” Except for the brief period of the Republic under Cromwell, England has always been a special place for Christmas, and made even more so by the famous Charles Dickens classic A Christmas
Carol.
During the Victorian period of the 1800’s, according to Countess Maria Hubert von Staufer, Director of Christmas Archives International in the UK, “It is a popular misconception that Christmas in England was eradicated by the Cromwellians and was reinvented by the Victorians.” She says the customs people observed then were handed down from earlier days, when Christmas celebrations were underground. The countess has written about Christmas in Victorian England extensively, and says that it was
celebrated with church bells, hand bells, choirs of singers and street performers. Wandering minstrels went from hamlet to hamlet and castle to castle in England’s past, and the tradition continued.
One tradition we can thank the English for is the Christmas tree. It became most popular with Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, who was born German, brought it to his new country, where it took its place next to the kissing bough, a mixture of mistletoe and evergreen. The most well known Christmas tree in England today is in the heart of
London, a giant spruce near the statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square. The tree is a gift from the people of Oslo, Norway. During World War II King Haakon of Norway was in exile in England while Norway was occupied by the German Army. Each year during his exile Norwegian military forces would smuggle a tree past the German navy’s patrols and bring it to their king in England so that he could celebrate Christmas with a
tree from his homeland. Since then, the people of Norway have expressed their appreciation by sending a tree every year to the people of London. British children get visits from Santa Claus, just as the children of America do, but they know him as Father Christmas. He’s a jolly old man with white hair and a pipe, much like the American Santa. But, he traditionally wears a green coat. The image of the red coat was introduced
to England in 1930 on a Christmas card from America and in advertising by Coca Cola. His green coat stems from the ancient midwinter festival and signifies the return of Spring. Also, the sleigh and reindeer are an American invention, and Father Christmas isn’t expected to be pulled by eight tiny reindeer. But English children do write letters to
Father Christmas as American children do to Santa, and at Christmas parties someone usually dresses the part and pretends to be Father Christmas.
The main meal at Christmas time is noon on Christmas day, and is traditionally roasted turkey with potatoes, stuffing and vegetables. Some families will still have a Christmas goose however. Goose was the main Christmas course tradition for many years until King Henry VIII decided he preferred turkey. And many people still make a special Christmas pudding to have for desert, a favorite of children. Like America, in England Christmas is probably the favorite children’s holiday.
Paul Buckley has created a website packed with fascinating holiday season articles, stories and ideas sure to help you make this holiday the best yet. Happy Holidays
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Rental Scams in Self Catering Holiday Home Lettings
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Since the middle of 2004 numerous owners of self catering holiday homes who advertise their properties on the Internet have been targeted on a rental scam.
The scam works by the enquirer sending a cheque far in excess of the requested sum, and then requesting a refund for the difference. After repaying this the property owner will find that original cheque has bounced or is bogus.
One person in France had the experience of receiving a Euro Draft that was actually twice the amount required. This was paid into their bank. A few days later they were bombarded with emails from the sender demanding the balance to be sent via a courier postal company immediately.
Fortunately their policy is not to send contracts before monies have been cleared and actually in their bank account. Their bank informed them that this would be fifteen days to clear the payment cheque. Well fifteen days passed and just as they were about to send the extra overpaid amount, they double checked with their bank only to find that the whole cheque was false.
A lot of people are initially taken in as the applicant makes a very attractive offer. They want to rent the property for several weeks in a quieter season when bookings are scarce. The offer of rent sounds good particularly if the owner of the property has a mortgage to cover.
Naturally the applicant never appears as he/she only communicates by email.These emails do not always make too much sense as the property owner for example could have been advertising a four bedroom luxury villa and the email will say that they want to rent a room/apartment and even bring their own furniture.
Philip Suter is a Director of JML Property Services – http://www.jmlvillas.com a UK based company offering Insurance products on line and a holiday home advertising service and management training with in the uk. He is a very experienced property consultant with over 30 years work in the Residential letting business and served in the national council of ARLA. He is a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and a Member of The association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)
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Christmas Gift Giving: What You Should Know About Last Minute Gifts
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A word of advice. Try to plan your gift giving in advance. Don’t wait to the very last minute. Last minute gifts would probably cost you more than you might anticipate.
Take a calendar and your organizer. Circle every birthday, your wedding anniversary, christmas and all gift giving dates on the calendar for the entire year. For starters get an extra calendar just for your gifts to simplify your gift giving.
Plan ahead a few weeks in advance. For each date, who are the persons you intend to get gifts for. What is your budget? What would you give that person?
Shop online for the gift. Now, this is why I say it is cheaper to plan ahead than wait for the very last minute. If you wait until a day or two before the event, you would probably have to go for overnight shipping. If you order long in advance, you can take the cheapest shipping method possible. The shipping cost between the different shipping options can vary considerably.
Some places offer free ground shipping within U.S. for a minimum order size. For this free or relatively cheap ground shipping, you have to order ahead of time. For example, if you want your gift to make it in time for Christmas within U.S., you have to order it by December 16th latest. Now if you miss that 16th December deadline, you would have to go for faster, more expensive shipping options. Between 16th December to 20th December, you would probably have to go for the UPS 3-Day shipping in order to make it in time for Christmas. That costs money. I used the UPS calculator to find the estimated cost of shipping a 1 lb package by UPS, using the 2 day delivery, within U.S. and the shipping cost alone was around $29.42. For UPS next day air saver, the shipping price was $34.03. For UPS next day air, the shipping cost was $36.28. The shipping cost of the package alone makes last minute gift giving rather expensive.
If you missed the shipping deadlines, the next best bet would to skip the excess shipping costs by sending an online gift certificate. These are electronic gift certificates that you can send by email. No shipping costs or shipping time required. Not as impressive as sending a nice package, but still better than nothing.
Another reason why you should do your gift buying preparations in advance is that you can take advantage of free gift cards to buy your gifts. All that takes time. There are a few such gift cards and free gifts available at http://www.gift-certificates.org/hot-gift-certificates.html. Basically, you answer some questions in surveys and get a gift certificate or gift card or free gift in return for your participation. Now if you do this way before the deadline, you would have time to complete the survey, get the gift certificate, go to the store and get the gifts. You save even more money getting your gifts that way.
That said, last minute gifts should be the last resort. Be wise and prepare your gifts ahead of time.
The writer is the webmaster of http://www.gift-certificates.org Here is where you can get online gift certificates.
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Holidays: Have You Been Re-Gifted?
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My guess is that just about everyone has been re-gifted at one time or another.
You have been re-gifted when someone gives you a gift that was given to them as a gift, they don’t want it, and they are passing it on to you.
So in this holiday season, here are 7 ways to tell if you have been re-gifted this year.
Number 1 – If you go to the store with your gift card and find that there is only $13.83 left on the card, you have been re-gifted.
Number 2 – If you receive a holiday cake or other food, especially a fruit cake, with an expiration date from last year, you have been re-gifted.
Number 3 – If you someone gives you a crock pot and there a few pieces of food still stuck to the inside, you have been re-gifted.
Number 4 – If you receive a box of chocolates with a few pieces missing, you have been re-gifted. Just hope it is chocolate from this year.
Number 5 – If the Christmas card you just got has one name crossed out and yours added, you have been re-gifted.
Number 6 – If you receive an item of clothing with sweat or food stains on it, guess what, you have been re-gifted.
Number 7 – If you receive a book with book marked pages, and underlined passages, you have been re-gifted.
Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Writing & Marketing Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.
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Holidays: 7 Gift Giving Laws for Wives
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Husbands can be hard to shop for, especially the ones who say they want nothing. My dad always did that. I always found that really confusing. Do you listen to him or get him something anyway?
Here are a few suggestions on what to get and what to avoid.
The Law of Nothing – When men say they do not want anything for Christmas, because they don’t need anything, do not believe it. It’s just something to say because…well, I really do not know why we say it. The point is that we do not mean it so do not believe it.
The Law of P & Q – One of the greatest gifts you can give your man is an afternoon or even a day of peace and quiet. No demands, no have to’s, watch sports and nap.
The Law of B & D – Just as a husband should never get his wife a gift with Black and Decker on it, a wife can always get her husband something with Black and Decker on it.
The Law of HD – Want to get the perfect gift for most men, get him a gift certificate to Home Depot, and uninterrupted time to look for the perfect thing to get.
The Law of Cheesy Ties – Even though we will where it anyway, we would really appreciate it if you did not help the kids get us cheesy pieces of clothing.
Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Writing & Marketing Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.
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Homeowners Holiday Decorating Safety
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OHSA probably will not be coming around this holiday season, but maybe they should. Hundreds of people are hurt every year installing holiday decorations cuts, broken bones, strains, electrocution, and falls from ladders, falls from roofs, tripping, slipping, and sliding. These things and more will do it every time putting a big damper on your family holiday. Here are six ways to make life easier and longer lasting.
1.Moving Heavy Boxes – Don’t carry too much weight. Bend your knees when picking things up. Use a dolly or cart to move items around. Be extra careful when carrying up or down stairs. Get help for the big awkward boxes that you can’t get your hands around.
2.Step Ladders & Extension Ladders – Use only on level surfaces make sure the legs are secure not sliding. Don’t stand on top stop where the manufacturer recommends. Have a helper when carrying a large ladder. Extension ladders have a helper holding the feet so they don’t move while you’re going up and down. Watch out for electrical wiring an aluminum ladder against your electrical services wires can put you out forever.
3.Outside Lighting – Use GFCI receptacles on all outdoor lighting. If wiring from inside use receptacles in the garage, kitchen or bathrooms they are normally GFCI protected then check to insure they are. Extension cords, lights, power strips, and timers all must be outside rated and weatherproof. Check the boxes and manufactures tags/stickers for use instructions. A good idea is to hire an electrician place outside GFIC receptacles where you need them.
4.Heavy Decorations – Hanging or installing heavy decorations like the Santa on the roof or large wreath covering half of the second floor. Keep yourself safe climbing around on a roof is dangerous business. Make sure you securely fasten these or any large decorations in place. There always are windy nights and we would hate to have Santa take out the front of uncle Vinnie’s corvette.
5.Inside Decorations – they are no different, make sure the tree is secure and won’t fall over. Place the stand on a piece of plywood 18†x 18†or a size at least as large as the legs. This plywood base should have the legs screwed into it. Watch out hanging decoration from light fixtures or railings. Keep stairs and doorways clear of decorations. Don’t over load outlets, use power strips with ground fault breakers and check all extension cords.
6.Clean up Back to Storage – cleaning up and packaging can be as dangerous as when you installed the decorations. Disconnect from the outlets any electrical cords before taking down the lights. Have your helper there with you again for ladders and all heavy objects.
Safely install and safely take down all holiday decorations and then you’ll be around to do it all over again next year. Aren’t you the lucky one?
Have a very Happy Holiday and a Merry Christmas.
Bill Carey with over 30 years in real estate sales, investments, and home building offers a unique perspective to the buying and selling process of residential real estate for F*R*E*E consumer information and reports log on to http://www.CharlotteNCExecutiveHomes.com and see
“Insider Real Estate Secrets Revealed”
…a must-read for Home-Owners and Renters!
It’s a F*R*E*E 12-lesson e-course covering more than 20 topics exposing the realities behind buying and selling a home.
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See http://www.BillCareyRealtor.com and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter with tips for buyers, sellers, home owners and soon to be home owners.
(Your Comments are Welcome)
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Edible Christmas Ornament Decorating Ideas
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There are lot of things to love about the Christmas season. There is of course the caroling, the family festivities, the seasonal programming. There are, though, two things that really stick out when thinking about Christmas time. The food, is of course one of them, and also the beautiful decorations that trim the season with merriment and bright colors. Now would it not be fantastic if there were a way to bring these two things together into one cohesive Christmas activity? The good news is that you can with a couple of different edible Christmas decorating ideas.
Edible ornaments are not just for candy canes. There are other ways to trim your tree with delectable goodies and treats. Perhaps the easiest way to do this is with cookie dough ornaments. You can even use a pre-made cookie dough that is sold in your grocer’s freezer section. Sugar cookies cut into Christmas shapes are a little bit more festive than plain chocolate chip cookies, or you can also press red and green M&Ms into the sugar cookies to add some color. Sugar cookie shapes can be decorated with a hard frosting or a gel frosting that dries hard.
The most important thing to remember, however, is to poke a small hole about a half an inch in on each cookie while they are still warm. This will prevent the cookies from crumbling as they would if you waited until they cooled. Once they are cool, you can run a pretty ribbon through each cookie and decorate your tree or give them as gifts to spread the Christmas love.
Another fun way to create beautiful edibles is with your centerpiece. To make a beautiful but simple gingerbread house for your Christmas table, you need only a few basic things. First you need a box of graham crackers and a sharp razor or Exacto knife. You will also need a glaze like sugar frosting and candy for decoration (gum drops work great). Cut two pieces of the graham crackers with a triangle point, like the front of a house in a child’s drawing. Since most graham cracker are perforated in half and then in half again, it is best to use on half as the triangle part, then the other pieces will fit perfectly. Affix two other pieces of graham cracker to the house part the long way, so that they come up just to the triangle. Now place two more across the triangle part at a slant like a roof. Use the frosting to hold these seams in place. Once that is dry, decorate as you would like with the candy and the frosting. The more colors you have, the more fun the decorating will be. Because of its simplicity, this is a great activity to do with young children, just make sure the grown ups do the cutting.
There are other simple activities to do as well, like decoupage boxes with decorative candy, Jordan almonds, and of course, don’t forget the candy canes.
Paul Buckley has published a website packed full of fascinating and useful articles, stories and ideas certain to make this you best holiday season yet. Happy Holidays
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Santa?s Ready, But Is Your Fireplace Ready for Him?
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When you hang those stockings from the mantel, you’re calling even more attention than usual to the natural focal point of your room, the fireplace. Especially at this time of year, you want your fireplace to look its best. Here’s a quick fireplace checklist to help you prepare your hearth for the Christmas season:
Fireplace Tools
How do they look? Are the handles secure and safe? Do they just need cleaning or are they rusting? If the time has come to replace them, you might be quite pleased with the range of styles now available!
Fireplace Screens
Is your fireplace screen still attractive and functional? If you are tired of having to move the screen each time you tend your fire, consider getting a new fireplace screen with access doors. They are available in both three-panel screens and in single-panel screens. Searching for the newest look in fireplace screens? Consider a flat, single panel screen. They fit up against your fireplace and instantly update the look of your hearth.
Firewood Holder
Is your log holder serving you or are you serving it? If you have to sweep up bits of bark each time you bring in a load of firewood, you might want to consider a style that allows a tidier hearth. Some log holders have space for both kindling and firewood and are great for keeping the hearth neat and tidy.
Fireplace Grate
The iron in fireplace grates is constantly being oxidized by the heat of your fire. That explains why the grate in your fireplace, after a few years of use, may have significant rusting. A grate that’s losing its integrity can be unsafe if it fails and drops its burning logs.
Also, check that your fireplace grate is the appropriate size for your fireplace. If you have a medium or larger fireplace, you don’t have to settle for a small grate that you have to refill frequently with logs. A grate better sized to your fireplace will serve you more efficiently.
Fireback
“What’s a fireback?†you may ask. A fireback is a traditional fireplace accessory that is returning to hearths as fuel costs rise. Made of either cast iron or stainless steel, a fireback leans against the back wall of your fireplace or sits there in braces. Its purpose is to radiate the heat of your fire into your room, thereby giving you more warmth for the same amount of wood or gas. The cast iron firebacks, available with classical or modern motifs, have a decorative as well as functional aspect. If you don’t yet have a fireback, this might be the winter to add one to your hearth.
Who knows, this Christmas maybe Santa or one of his helpers will bring you the new fireplace accessories you need!
Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit http://www.fireplacemall.com for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.
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