The pressure is on: Christmas Parties have begun... Presents need to be purchased... Holiday plans need to be made... Holiday food needs to be prepared... The home and office need to be decorated... Money needs to be found to do everything we want to do... Just writing this, I feel my heart rate starting to increase. This is a busy time of year and if we allow ourselves, we can be stressed to the max, trying to do it all and meet every body's expectations including our own.
So, BREATHE - deep - from the belly. Sit or lie down, close your eyes, and breathe slow deep breaths from the belly - not your chest. Most of us breathe very shallow breaths, never filling the lower part of the lungs. Deep, relaxed breathing, lowers heart rate, blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, decreases the release of stress hormones and allows us time to refocus.
Time to decide what is really important. Much of the time the "Urgent" wins over the "Important". Prioritize what actually matters. What is the worst thing that can happen if something doesn't get done?
In the midst of all the busyness, don't forget to count your blessings. As you slow down and take time to breathe, make a mental list of your blessings and all you have to be grateful for during this time of year.
Day 6
Now that you have made a mental list, put it down on paper and when life speeds up, or the pressure is on, bring to mind the many blessing that are a part of your life and all that you have to be grateful for.
