VIDEO: Handling Holiday Overwhelm

Posted on by Tammy

It happened last week. I finally hit a breaking point.

The sense of total overwhelm and stress rushed over me. Work responsibilities, holiday to-do’s, every day tasks — they piled up to the point of no return, and I knew I had to do something to stop it.

In the middle of watching a live broadcast, and testing with friends about it, I had to shut it down. I was on overload, and instead of pushing through and trying to ride it out, I decided to take care of myself. I took a time out.

I shut down the broadcast, excused myself from the group text, and took a few minutes to help myself feel better.

Watch the below video for what I did (I created a new visualization technique to help with overwhelm) and why you TOO should listen to your soul when it’s crying out for a time out to refresh.

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Download a FREE gratitude meditation to help you during the holidays here!

Self-Nurturing: The Key to Holiday Harmony

Posted on by Tammy

By Amy Leigh Mercree

For many of us, snow is falling and holiday cheer abounds, but what do you do if the season of celebration leaves you feeling flat and empty? Does the thought of more small talk at parties, and finding a New Year’s Eve date make you cringe and want to hibernate? You’re not alone! If you asked your friends their real feelings about this season some people would express emotions of obligation and wariness at the busy schedule, often imposed by well-meaning family and friends.

So how can we find a balance this season and give ourselves the message that we are worth having an enjoyable, joyful, relaxing time – and also take action to make that happen? A few simple changes in thinking and a couple self-nurturing actions will make a massive difference in your experience of the holidays.

First, ask yourself, “What does the holiday season mean to me?” Really delve into that. It might mean time off from work where you want to relax and have fun. It might signify spiritual renewal or have poignant religious significance for you.

Next ask yourself, “What holiday rituals are fun and meaningful for me?” This could be when just your immediate family lights the menorah together or decorates the tree. It could also be the couple hours you set aside to go surfing before family celebrations begin. Look at what part of those experiences really fuels you and prioritize that in your plans.

Lastly, ask yourself, “What do I wish I could do?” Go to Tahiti? Hibernate in a bubble bath with a romance series? Play touch football with my most relaxed friends? Go out for sushi? While you might not have the time or money for a Tahiti trip this year, you could set that as a five- or 10-year goal, and you could certainly carve out the time for bubble baths, a football game or sushi if you made your enjoyment a priority.

Why should your enjoyment a priority? Because you are an amazing, sacred, beautiful treasure just as you are! And you matter.

You must be the one to assert your importance in your life. It is important that you have fun. It is important that you are rejuvenated. It is important you get to relax this season if that is what you need.

Dating and Love
Everyone wants to throw dating in the mix at holiday time. You will see messages all over the media this season of mistletoe, romantic snow covered moments, and the mythical kiss at the stroke of midnight from fairy tales being enacted on New Year’s Eve. The reality of holiday time is many people are harried and rushed and trying to find meaning amid a storm of consumerism. So what if you just choose to be open to the heart energy that does get stoked at this time of year? What if you just let that flame warm you and allowed life to bring you whatever is for your highest good? How would that feel? Would that ease a pressure within?

If family members ask you about your love life, what if you said, “I am blissfully in love with myself, thank you for asking,” with a huge smile on your face?

Here is my “Survival Kit For the Holidays.” Do these things and you will be relaxed, centered, and happy this season!

1) Be kind. Firstly, to yourself. No negative self-talk, no admonishments for forgetting to send out cards. Just kindness in everything you say to yourself. And be kind to others 100-percent of the time Even when you are in the slowest line on the planet at the grocery store, practice serenity and be kind to the cashier instead of impatient and grouchy.

2) Open your heart to love. And that is it. Have no expectation about dates and such this time of year. Just give yourself a pass. Simply open your heart to the love from your nieces, nephews, pets, friends and grandma, and focus relentlessly on that love. Share your love. Say, “I love you,” to every family member and friend this season and deliver the words with a big hug and watch people soften and tension ease before your eyes.

3) Create and uphold at least two self-nurturing rituals on crucial days in your season. For example, for many years I have had a delicious Christmas morning breakfast in bed. When I was single, I would get up and make my waffles with berries and cream, and then bring them back to bed on a pretty tray that morning before turning the ringer on the phone back on. Now that I’m married I do the same thing, but my husband gets to enjoy the breakfast in bed too! You could have a favorite Christmas movie you wrap presents to on Christmas Eve while enjoying hot chocolate after giving yourself a peppermint oil foot massage. Or a home spa day on December 26th that is non-negotiable. You get the idea!

You have the power to nurture yourself, care for yourself, and through that focus, open your heart to real love. Then you will find yourself spiritually dating!

Happy season of self nurturing!

Amy Leigh Mercree is the author of “The Spiritual Girl’s Guide to Dating: Your Enlightened Path to Love, Sex, & Soul Mates,” a Spiritual Dating & Relationship Coach, and a Medical Intuitive. For more fun articles and her dating advice column visit her blog and website:www.spiritualgirlsguide.com.

Tips for Thriving Through the Holidaze

Posted on by Tammy

By Keri Nola, LMHC

We are entering into the holiday season, the time of year when we can allow ourselves to get carried away in the hustle and bustle of excessive commitments, lengthy to-do lists, traveling, shopping, and more. Instead of repeating old patterns that keep us feeling unsatisfied, overwhelmed, and tired, we have the opportunity to choose to glide through the remaining months in joyous and peaceful ways. Why not stop for a few moments today and invite yourself to discover and practice a few tips to support you in thriving through the season?

Four Tips for Thriving Through the Holidaze

1) Establish a clear intention. Rather than allowing the season to happen to you, consider setting a mindful intention and empower yourself to create an experience you actually look forward to having. For example, “This holiday season I intend to be present with myself and my loved ones, even if that means I cannot cook the ‘perfect’ meal, get all the ‘perfect’ gifts, or say ‘yes’ to every invitation I receive.”

2) Put yourself on your priority list. Making time for YOU is not optional if you want to thrive. People who experience peace understand they are worth making time for, and they make it a point to create space and time for themselves on a regular basis. Consider making appointments with yourself and then honor them without excuses or justification.

3) Say “No, thank you” to events, people and circumstances that do not resonate with you. Just because you have participated in a tradition, event or relationship in the past, doesn’t mean you have to agree to it now. Check in with yourself and honor what your heart desires this year. Even family? Yes. Even family. Saying yes to others and no to ourselves is not loving or kind, and it certainly does not contribute to our ability to thrive. We have a right to spend time with people, doing things that resonate with us—consider giving yourself this generous gift this season!

4) Practice Gratitude. Engaging in a practice of conscious gratitude can help take the edge off during busy and hectic times. Consider choosing to mindfully acknowledge your blessings each day by either writing them down, sharing them with loved ones, and/or saying them aloud. Our hearts and lives expand when we honor that which lights us up.

Interestingly enough, these tips are also valuable year round to welcome more peace and less struggle, so you may choose to keep them on hand to practice even beyond the holidays. May this season be filled with abundant blessings for us all as we take responsibility for creating the experience we desire this year!

Keri Nola is author of “A Year on Your Path to Growth: Daily Inspirations to Reconnect with Your Soul,” and founder of Path to Growth LLC, a Central Florida-based integrative healing center that blends traditional and holistic techniques for journeys to peace. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Nola provides psychotherapy and facilitates therapeutic retreats for those seeking to reconnect with their inner wisdom, particularly after trauma or loss. She also offers heart-inspired business consultations for healthcare professionals. For more information visit www.pathtogrowth.com, on Facebook and Twitter @pathtogrowth.

NOTE: Picture of Keri Nola by Monica Alfonso