While the holiday theme is joy, love, and gift-giving, the stress that can accompany the hustle, bustle and pressure of putting it all together can overcome these feelings. Stress can build up over time or show up when internal needs and feelings are ignored. Multitasking to plan holiday gatherings, shopping or communications for the end of the year can make basic needs take back burner to getting everything done well or well enough. The potential for stress build-up during this time of year can make the difference between feeling stressed and blessed.
A good check-in for stress is HALT: "Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired?" If the answer is "Yes" to any of these, it's important to take a pause to give yourself the gift of self-care.
Hungry~~
1) Get in touch with your own needs. 2) Ask for help when you need it. 3) Re-energize by eating root vegetables and keep organic foods in your holiday meals and snacks. 4) Wear orange or yellow to support your life energy. 5) Find a way to nurture yourself with a warm bath, a funny movie, massage, stretching, or dancing to nourish your life energy. 6) Sing your favorite songs of the season. 7) Place flowers in your environment.
Angry~~
1) Simplify lists of what you need to do. 2) Set loving and healthy boundaries on your lists and obligations. 3) Make time for your priorities on your calendar during the holidays. 4) Wear blue or green for calming energy. 5) Listen to calming music. 6) Take a walk next to the water or listen to music with water sounds in it. 7) Get clear on your options.
Lonely~~~
1) Ask yourself what brings you the most joy during the holidays. Take inventory o f activities, food, people, and blessings that have helped you over the years. 2) Make time to talk with someone you feel comfortable expressing your feelings and needs over the holidays if even for a few moments each time. 3) Take a walk with a two-legged or four-legged friend. As you walk, list things you see around you that are nourishing or beautiful. 4) Visit a shut-in or offer some volunteer time. 5) Make time daily to meditate to get in touch with your heart and breath.
Tired~~
1) Take a moment to close your eyes. Listen for what your body is telling you. Allow the energy in your body to move in whatever direction it needs to move. You can do this with or without music. Your body knows what it needs to release and to move energy. 2) Schedule downtime during the holidays to regenerate your energy. 3) Create loving and healthy boundaries for yourself by being prepared before attending parties and gatherings with how much time and energy you spend before, during and after an event. 4) Express what you are feeling lovingly and then take care of yourself.
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1) Make a list of what inspires you during this season. Is it a church service? Is it a sacred meal? Is it seeing the lights? Is it a yearning for peace and spiritual values during this time?
2) What do feel you need to let go of at this time of year? Are there one or two things you could cross off your list to make it easier for you?
3) Are there any feelings of hurt, grief, or loss that need tending or need to move on to help you experience more joy, harmony and love?
4) Give yourself permission to cry, laugh and remember those you have loved over the years who have expanded your experience of love and loving. Express gratitude within and with another.
I have these made & ready to go for Christmas....I don't know if I can wait!!
Frozen Chocolate Mint Dessert
PointsPlusTM value 3
Servings 6
Keep a stash of these chocolate-mint treats in your freezer for a sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
1 oz chocolate wafer(s), about 5 cookies
1/4 tsp mint extract
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa
7 oz fat-free whipped topping, about 1 whole aerosol can
1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
3 piece(s) Weight Watchers by Whitman's Mint patties, frozen, chopped
2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
6 Tbsp whipped topping, light or fat-free, vanilla or chocolate
Instructions
Line six muffin holes with foil muffin liners.
In a blender, combine wafers, extract, cocoa, fat-free whipped topping and milk; blend until completely combined. Divide mixture among prepared muffin liners; freeze for at least 2 hours.
Just before serving, top each with 1/6 of mint patties, 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup and 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Yields 1 dessert per serving.
This easy chocolate dessert can be made in several flavors. For a pure chocolate treat, replace the mint extract with chocolate or vanilla extract and swap the mint patties for an ounce of mini chocolate chips (could affect PointsPlus values).
A good check-in for stress is HALT: "Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired?" If the answer is "Yes" to any of these, it's important to take a pause to give yourself the gift of self-care.
Hungry~~
1) Get in touch with your own needs. 2) Ask for help when you need it. 3) Re-energize by eating root vegetables and keep organic foods in your holiday meals and snacks. 4) Wear orange or yellow to support your life energy. 5) Find a way to nurture yourself with a warm bath, a funny movie, massage, stretching, or dancing to nourish your life energy. 6) Sing your favorite songs of the season. 7) Place flowers in your environment.
Angry~~
1) Simplify lists of what you need to do. 2) Set loving and healthy boundaries on your lists and obligations. 3) Make time for your priorities on your calendar during the holidays. 4) Wear blue or green for calming energy. 5) Listen to calming music. 6) Take a walk next to the water or listen to music with water sounds in it. 7) Get clear on your options.
Lonely~~~
1) Ask yourself what brings you the most joy during the holidays. Take inventory o f activities, food, people, and blessings that have helped you over the years. 2) Make time to talk with someone you feel comfortable expressing your feelings and needs over the holidays if even for a few moments each time. 3) Take a walk with a two-legged or four-legged friend. As you walk, list things you see around you that are nourishing or beautiful. 4) Visit a shut-in or offer some volunteer time. 5) Make time daily to meditate to get in touch with your heart and breath.
Tired~~
1) Take a moment to close your eyes. Listen for what your body is telling you. Allow the energy in your body to move in whatever direction it needs to move. You can do this with or without music. Your body knows what it needs to release and to move energy. 2) Schedule downtime during the holidays to regenerate your energy. 3) Create loving and healthy boundaries for yourself by being prepared before attending parties and gatherings with how much time and energy you spend before, during and after an event. 4) Express what you are feeling lovingly and then take care of yourself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1) Make a list of what inspires you during this season. Is it a church service? Is it a sacred meal? Is it seeing the lights? Is it a yearning for peace and spiritual values during this time?
2) What do feel you need to let go of at this time of year? Are there one or two things you could cross off your list to make it easier for you?
3) Are there any feelings of hurt, grief, or loss that need tending or need to move on to help you experience more joy, harmony and love?
4) Give yourself permission to cry, laugh and remember those you have loved over the years who have expanded your experience of love and loving. Express gratitude within and with another.
I have these made & ready to go for Christmas....I don't know if I can wait!!
Frozen Chocolate Mint Dessert
PointsPlusTM value 3
Servings 6
Keep a stash of these chocolate-mint treats in your freezer for a sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
1 oz chocolate wafer(s), about 5 cookies
1/4 tsp mint extract
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa
7 oz fat-free whipped topping, about 1 whole aerosol can
1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
3 piece(s) Weight Watchers by Whitman's Mint patties, frozen, chopped
2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
6 Tbsp whipped topping, light or fat-free, vanilla or chocolate
Instructions
Line six muffin holes with foil muffin liners.
In a blender, combine wafers, extract, cocoa, fat-free whipped topping and milk; blend until completely combined. Divide mixture among prepared muffin liners; freeze for at least 2 hours.
Just before serving, top each with 1/6 of mint patties, 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup and 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Yields 1 dessert per serving.
This easy chocolate dessert can be made in several flavors. For a pure chocolate treat, replace the mint extract with chocolate or vanilla extract and swap the mint patties for an ounce of mini chocolate chips (could affect PointsPlus values).
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