December

Face your Fears

Think about how you felt the last time you looked down the barrel of your fears and plowed through feelings of anxiety, only to come out on the other side stronger, wiser, and better. 

Our fears can be paralyzing. Allowing them to be our compass sucks the 'life' out of 'living'. So it's time to do some 'fear-less' homework. 

First, ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that could happen?" This question helps to give us a reality check. 

Second, write down your top three (3) fears. 

Third, develop an action plan to face each of those top three (3) fears - head on.

Fourth, be willing to put in the hard work. Then sit back and enjoy your amazing growth! 

Remember, fear doesn't stop death, it stops LIFE.

JUST...RELAX

The time to relax is when you don't have time at all." You may have run across this quote before. Or, you may have been too busy to pay attention. In fact, being 'BUSY' is highly prized in our society. Conquering the day equals success! But how much are we compromising our health, in order to check off our to-do-lists? Often, we don't even realize we are burned-out until we have an opportunity to relax, only to discover we are 'coming down' and find ourselves ill.

Relaxation is so important because without it, our immune systems are suppressed, leaving us more susceptible to bad moods, anger, frustration, high blood pressure, headaches, impaired concentration and judgment, fatigue, muscle tension, ulcers, and other diseases. Taking time to 'pause' helps us to counteract these negative physical effects and maintain a state of balanced health and wellbeing - mind, body, and soul.

There are plenty of relaxation techniques available for you. But the key to achieving this state of calm is directly related to your #intentionality to include it in your daily life. After choosing your preferred technique, decide how long and how often you can commit to it. And then reward your body, mind, and soul by saying, "Give me a minute," to a world that values overstimulation. Enjoy!

Mental Hygiene During the Holiday Season

When we’re experiencing uncharacteristically high levels of stress, it’s hard to stop and regroup. But with some forethought and action, you can minimize the overwhelm that can accompany the holidays. You may even end up appreciating the holiday season more than you thought you would. Here are the 10 tips to consider in a socially-distanced way:

1. Give yourself permission to 'be in YOUR feelings' - If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's okay to feel sadness and grief and express your feelings.

2. Connect with someone - If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious, or social events, virtually, that can offer support and companionship. Do a 'welfare check' on friends who may appear to be isolating themselves. 

3. Have realistic expectations - The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As life changes daily, traditions and rituals can change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. 

4. Be #intentional - Be purposeful in your planning so that you don't waste time, money, or energy. When we make a conscious effort to plan, we are able to manage stress better and remain focused on what really matters during these festive times.  

5. Don't BLOW your budget - Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness and love. 

6. Saying 'NO' is saying 'YES' - Saying YES when you should be saying NO leaves you frustrated, resentful, and stressed! Practice different ways to say NO, and be ok with it. Saying NO to others is saying YES to yourself and the activities that you value.

7. Make time for self care - Don't neglect yourself. Set aside some time (no matter how much or little you have), free of distractions to de-stress, clear your mind, and restore your inner calm. 

8. Do everything in moderation - In your spending, eating, and drinking, the holidays shouldn't be a free-for-all. Excess in anything can add to your stress and subsequent guilt.

9. Remember there's a time and place for everything - Just because it's an opportune time to connect doesn't mean that it's an ideal time for interventions. Save that for later. Accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to your expectations.

10. Reach out for professional help - If you find yourself persistently sad, anxious, unable to eat, sleep, or engage in your regular daily activities, don't hesitate to talk to your medical doctor or a mental health professional.