Holiday Season Stress!

Hi everyone :)

Well it's that time of the year again! Holiday season!


Not surprisingly many of us find this time of the year extremely stressful.

Well I'd like to share with you some tips on how to reduce that stress.

Happy reading :)





 Tips to Avoid Holiday Stress

1) Don’t try to do too much - one person can only do so much in a certain time with given financial resources.

2) If you are feeling lonely, join others in volunteering to do something for those in need. You will find company and feel good about yourself by helping others.

3) Continue your exercise program, get plenty of rest and eat healthful foods. If you have children, make sure they do the same. You will be happier, more energetic and better prepared to take on stressful holiday activities such as shopping, running extra errands and entertaining. 

4) Try not to have too many expectations for the holiday season. Each holiday is different and you can enjoy each in its own way.

5) Don’t be afraid to do less than you planned or less than you did last year. The stress caused by trying to do these things can ruin the holidays for yourself and the people around you.

6) Don’t drink too much alcohol. Excessive drinking will not help you deal with unhealthy stress.

7) Make time in the day for yourself. Give yourself room to enjoy a relaxing activity such as taking a warm bath, listening to music, taking a walk, or even taking some deep breaths. Other relaxation methods include meditation, progressive muscle relaxation and visualization. Innerpics programs can help with this, just once a day sit back and relax. Even simply listening to an Innerpics program with your eyes closed can work wonders!
Pick activities that you find relaxing and try to do something every day to help you unwind.

8) Try to be more forgiving and tolerant. Many people around you may be feeling just as pressured as you or even more so. Try to be understanding of other people’s mistakes or carelessness. Your kindness will help both you and others feel less stressed.

9) Don’t forget to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday!

Happy holiday season Innerpics fans! Love and happiness to you all :)
Warmest Regards
Paul

Be Happy :)

Be Happy :)

Sometimes you can’t seem to identify a problem, or there are just too many to overcome. In these cases, I advice you to focus more on being happy than anything else. This have to come first, as you will get a whole new outlook when you really feel alive. So follow these 12 tips, and you’ll be up again in no time.

• Understand that it’s okay to feel sad. Don’t ignore it, just don’t let the feeling take over you.
• Once you can do that, start focusing on what makes you happy. Do what you enjoy, go see a movie, walk the dog, whatever. And whenever the bad feelings start popping up, acknowledge them, clear your mind, and think about something else. Don’t ever think negative thoughts for more than a few seconds.
• Lists can help you. Write down some of the things that you like to do, and hang them up on your fridge. Do at least one of these things every day. Look forward to it, and enjoy it while you do it.
• Use fantastic words. If someone asks you how your day was, and you answer with a “fine”, that fine is going to define your day. If you instead tell him that you had a marvelous, amazing or incredible day, that is what your day was or is going to be. Keep this in mind!
• Think in opportunities. Remember that every failure is one step closer to success.
• Think about what you really want to do. Maybe this is a golden opportunity to try a new challenge or new direction in your life. If you really always wanted to be a stock broker, a teacher or a marketing guy, check out what you need to do or learn to get there. Enroll at the university, go to evening classes, seek out professionals in the industry. Whatever it takes, your only limitation is your imagination.
• Look good. While you feel a little down and depressed, remember to take good care of yourself. It’s much easier to feel sorry for that sad bum in the mirror, than it is to feel the same way about a well groomed, and well dressed young man.
• Get out. You have probably heard this hundreds of times before, but a little exercise and some fresh air can do wonders for your mood. Be open and positive, and a trip to the park can be amazingly beautiful. Look at the birds in the trees, the couples walking around having a good time.
• Surround yourself with happy people. Don’t hang around negative types, sooner or later their mood will affect you. Sad but true.
• Music is medicine for the soul. We all have a favorite band or song, so don’t be afraid to play it! Play it loud, dance around, sing along. Suddenly the burdens on your shoulders seem to lighten a little. Play another wonderful song, and soon they will be far away.
• Smile. Smiling at yourself or to other people is an instant happiness booster. You could say that you trick the body to think that you are happy, and naturally, you’ll also become happy.
• Laugh. Just like smiling, laughing is tricking the body and mind to think that you are happier than you are. So put on your favorite show, and laugh – even if it’s not funny.

All this might seem a little too simple and maybe even a little silly, but I will challenge you to do everything described here the next time you feel down and depressed, and see what happens :)

Keep smiling Innerpics friends :)