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By Tana Marie
20 Ways to Make Merry During the Holidays
Time to enjoy one of the most
wonderful times of the year. Regardless if you're married,
single or somewhere in between, you can get involved in
delightful activities and "make merry" during the holidays.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Avoid alcohol and party drugs! Alcohol depletes the brain
of serotonin, a chemical needed to maintain a normal mood.
Party drugs are never a good idea, and can only create
additional relationship stress. Just say, "No."
2. If you're lonely, show up where people are. Invite close
friends to be with you! Ask friends to help you donate toys or
clothing to various charities. Volunteer to help prepare and
serve food at a local soup kitchen.
3. Exercise and keep those endorphins pumping. You'll have
more energy for all the holiday activities and it's still the
best stress-buster there is!
4. Choose HEALTHY foods. Pick food that will stabilize your
blood sugar levels, especially when you know you'll be
sampling lots of sweet goodies.
5. Decorate your house or apartment with lots of holiday
lights and fill it with warm, delicious scents! Nothing is
more festive than twinkling lights warming up your homes and
potpourri or scented oils delighting your senses!
6. If unwelcome people want to visit, assert yourself. Let
them know that "This is not a good time for me to have
guests," or "I have other plans this year." You do not have to
make excuses or defend yourself. Make your own choices. It's
your right to say, "No, and thanks for asking."
7. Practice gratitude! Be thankful for all the things you DO
have and avoid focusing on what you lack. Count your
blessings! Make a list! When you really look, you can find so
many positive things to focus on.
8. If you have children or loved ones who come to visit, do
your best to create an atmosphere that focuses on "doing"
rather than "having." Plan lots of holiday activities
together; bake some cookies together; read a story aloud; make
your own holiday decorations; give homemade gifts.
9. Emphasize the more spiritual aspects of your holiday.
Rethink the reason for the season. Attend a special holiday
service (i.e., a candle lighting service), take a drive around
the city and enjoy the Christmas lights and holiday
decorations! Doing so can help you understand that you are not
really alone!
11. What about a lack of money? Social pressures of "giving"
often brought on by expectations induced by the media or
children's expectations can also cause stress and lead to
excessive spending on credit cards. The result is overextended
credit so that the Happy New Year brings wilted poinsettias
and bills that can't be met.
12. Have a "tree decorating party" or a Hanukkah dinner with
your special friends. To make sure everyone gets involved,
have him or her bring a favorite dish to share. Have a few
special friends over to prepare a turkey. Before the meal,
share what you are thankful for or a special holiday memory
and ask everyone else to do the same.
13. Host an alcohol-free "Holiday Hayride" to look at the
Christmas lights. Solicit volunteers to help you make a batch
of cider or hot coffee. Sing Christmas carols at each stop.
Check your local newspaper for a list of houses to tour.
14. You think you're lonely? Visit a nursing home. Volunteer!
Statistics show that many elderly people are often forgotten
during the holidays. Your visit will ALWAYS be appreciated!
Give them a small homemade gift or a holiday card. Spread some
holiday cheer!
15. Catch up on your ZZZs! A recent survey by the Better Sleep
Council reported 51% of Americans say stress disturbs their
sleep. Unwind early in the evening, cut down on stimulants and
follow other tips at www.SleepFoundation.org.
16. Treat yourself to pre-holiday pampering. Play a round of
golf. Schedule a full-body massage. Schedule a Spa-Day. Do
something special for YOU!
17. Can't find any humor in the holidays? Do something to make
yourself laugh. Rent a funny video. Laugh. Use humor to
transcend your stressful situation.
18. Plan ahead. Get ready for next year now. Create a holiday
file, adding articles, jokes, and ideas that you'd like to try
and jotting down what worked and what didn't. Recycle holiday
cards to preschools and children's hospitals for art projects.
19. Take a long walk in your neighborhood. Leave the cell
phone and pager at home. Check out the Christmas decorations.
Unwind. Think. Enjoy!
20. Take care of YOU!
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