Do you remember the excitement of opening a new box of Crayola crayons as a child? For me, there was something just so wonderful about a new box of sharp crayons and that wonderful smell. Just smelling crayons today transports me back to my childhood! I’m sure you have noticed that adult coloring has become all the rage lately. Why? There are actually a lot of reasons coloring is good for you and why you may consciously or subconsciously find it so rewarding. Read on to learn more!

It’s no secret – I love walking in nature! I find that it clears my mind, energizes my body, and calms my spirit. Do you find yourself trying to hit a target heart rate or get from point A to point B when you walk? To achieve the benefits of mindfulness, you may need to shift your focus! Mindfulness provides a host of mental and physical benefits. It especially helps you deal with stress in a healthy way. Here are some steps to walking mindfully.

Notice your surroundings. If you are in an urban or suburban area, always be aware of cars, people, etc. around you. Safety first! Notice what’s around you – whether its window signs, other people, trees, water, birds, flowers, or anything else you pass. You don’t need to think about it, just notice it. Do this for another 30 seconds.

When you are constantly caring for others at work and at home, you can easily become burned out. Here are some ways you can grab a few minutes for yourself and recharge your batteries!

If you need help finding ways to rejuvenate yourself, contact me for a Free Discovery Session to see if coaching can help you!

Stress is one of the most searched topics on the internet. Anyone who is alive experiences stress. Stress can be debilitating to your life and your Christian walk. By changing your perspective on stress and using it as a learning experience, you can take some good away from the stressful experiences you encounter.
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The Bible talks about this in James 1:2-4. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. By learning how to deal with difficult or challenging family members, you can cut down on a lot of the anxiety of the holidays.

There are always those family members who may be difficult to deal with. Remember to have realistic expectations, or maybe even no expectations. Accept those people for who they are. This will make you happier and them happier!
The holidays are not the time to have a confrontation. Avoid talking about “hot topics”. If there is a subject that needs to be addressed, talk about it after the holidays. If you feel like you need more help, talk to a respected confidant or counselor about family issues and how to deal with them. You can brainstorm with them or even try some role-playing. 
If you would like more tips on how to survive the holidays, read my previous blog posts on this topic. Merry Christmas!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. If you are spending the holidays alone, but would prefer not to, there are ways to remedy the situation.

Try volunteering at soup kitchens, children’s homes, group homes, or facilities for the elderly. These are groups that often feel lonely during the holidays. These people will appreciate you, you’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll have great company!
Come back tomorrow for another tip on how to survive the holidays and check out my previous posts.

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. During the holidays, its especially important to keep connected with family and friends who value you for who you are. 

These are people who can give you a reality check and can keep you grounded. Its important to have people in your life than can tell you if you are spinning out of control or taking too much on. It may not be easy to hear, but these are people who truly care about you and have your best interests at heart. So spend some quality time with them during the holidays.
Come back each day to get more tips for how to survive the holidays and read my previous posts!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. ​The best gift you can give yourself is some much needed rest. 

You know how much sleep you need in order to feel rested. If you are under times of stress, you may need a little more sleep. In general, you need at least 7 hours of good sleep a night to feel regenerated. So go to bed early enough tonight to get as much sleep as you need!
​Come back daily to  get more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience. Exercise is a great way to handle stress during the holiday season.

Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. An easy way to do this is to take a 10-15 minute walk after every meal. Plus walking eases digestion and helps moderate blood sugar, so its especially helpful if you have over-indulged! (To learn more, read this blog.) If you have a gym class you like to take or enjoy yoga, those are great stress-busters as well! Getting this release through exercise is sanity saving!
Keeping coming back for more tips on how to survive the holidays!

The holidays can be a stressful time, but a large part of it may be self-inflicted. By changing how you set yourself up during the holidays, you can change your experience.

Try to keep to your normal routine as much as possible. Keep attending normal meetings, Bible studies, etc. If you normally spend time with friends, your spouse, or your children, make sure you keep those appointments. Keep those things that are a priority the rest of the year, a priority during the holidays.

As much as possible, continue to eat as healthfully as you can. Think moderation – try not to eat or drink too much. A plant-based diet helps keep you energized and your immunity up. Try to keep sugar and unhealthy fats to a minimum. If you are at a party, try to eat more healthy appetizers, such as veggies and hummus or fruit before you eat more unhealthy options that are full of sugar and unhealthy fats. You don't have to completely abstain from treats during the holidays, but remember to enjoy them in moderation!
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Come back every day for more tips on how to survive the holidays!