Just for fun

Stress Less Holidays!

November and December are often full of extra demands on time, energy, and budget and while the intent is good cheer and joy it can often start to feel stressful!   When the to do list gets filled with social events, shopping for presents, writing Christmas cards, decorating, baking, and everything else that goes with the season it can start to feel like too much.  Then to add to the pressure we often create unrealistic expectations of perfection, happiness, and getting everything done.  Time gets short and self-care often gets shifted to the bottom of the list so sleep, nutrition, and relaxation suffer.  If one doesn’t take care, stress can take over!  And the fun disappears!

As promised, here are some ideas to reduce stress and enjoy the holidays!

                           

The basic but powerful first steps:

          Make lists

           Prioritize

           Do one thing at a time, don’t multitask!

And here are the other ways to keep the joy and manage your stress:

Rather than stressing over choosing the perfect gifts, remember it really is the thought that counts not the price or perfection!

•           ask people what they want and save the stress of trying to be a mind reader
•           shop early and plan ahead so you can enjoy shopping
•           stick to your budget so you don’t create money stress later
•           think about what you enjoy about giving… and plan your gifting accordingly 

Family gatherings are one of the times expectations can be unrealistic and create stress.  Plan ahead to keep the warm feelings flowing!

•           if you love cooking, dive in but if not buy prepared foods 
•           ask others to bring favorite dishes and share the workload
•           cook and freeze foods ahead of time to avoid time overload
•           think of food as fuel for your body, allow indulgences then get back on track
•           don’t expect others to change but you can change your response to them
•           simplify holiday traditions where it makes sense

Schedule time for enjoyment

•          allow time for yourself. Remember to do things that you enjoy
•          simplify and make plans to visit some family and friends after the holidays
•          don't over-schedule yourself. Allow enough time to relax and recover
•          think about the things that you truly enjoy about the holidays and savor experiences

Attend to nutrition and health through the holidays

•        avoid overeating and overdrinking, but allow yourself to enjoy the things you really like
•        don't starve yourself in anticipation of a holiday party but rather eat smart before hand
•        take time to exercise, go for a walk after a meal, keep gym time on the priority list

Practice gratitude  

•       take time each day to recognize good moments and things for which you are thankful
•       volunteer or contribute to someone in need

Managing stress is important.  Short term stress can become chronic if not managed.  Long-term chronic stress produces an ongoing hormonal response that causes premature aging, adversely affects brain chemistry, compromises metabolism, brings down energy, stores fat (in all the wrong places), and ultimately can lead to the development of chronic disease.

My favorite sources of stress support

Happy 4th of July!

Isagenix...makes living healthy easier!

This past year I impulsively bought an Isagenix 30 Cleansing and Fat Burning Pak and have determined it was the best impulse ever!

 I have kept using products for the past 7 months and can't imagine ever giving it up.   Best benefits are energy, feeling healthy, and ease of use.   I've lost weight and maintained the loss after years of struggling to do so.  I no longer have the energy slumps I used to experience.  Pobably the biggest reason it works so well for me is that above being effective it is so easy to use.  I love that I can have a shake or meal replacement bar when I have patients scheduled over noon hour or I am running around and don't have the time to sit down for a meal.  

I love that the company seems to have good research backing the products.  Isagenix is geared for althletes, individuals wanting to lose weight, busy adults needing moe energy, and families with children.

And for those who like to party, there are even recommendations for feeling better!  LOL!

http://bjkingnd.isagenix.com/

Its hard not to share things that improve my life!   Ask me if you want to know more!

Horse Barn Art Projects

Feeling the need to be creative, I pulled out my old tubes of acrylic paint and made some paintings for the barn.   The bathroom/dressing area at the barn was a project taken on by several of the young women who work for my horse trainer.   I made some paintings to match the pink, purple, and blue spatter painter bathroom.   A barn full of horses and women is definitely a fun place!

New horse!

I am continuing to show my 10 year old mare in reining competitions and we are having a good year!  Reining is hard work for a horse so I have bought a yearling colt as my next potential reining horse.  He is one sweet little boy.

Boom Shernic Chic, also known as Dax, has just started training and hopefully will be ready for a couple of early fall futurities.

Randomness from my life

I am not being a very good blogger... crazy busy...yada yada...

but thought I would share some of the pictures I took at my trainer's barn last week