People often celebrate as many as three or four holidays during this time of the year. Unfortunately, each can be filled with stress wrapped in many shapes, sizes and packages that can far overshadow the potential for joy.
The biggest stressor for many is having too much to do in the limited time allotted. It becomes a major balancing act of caring for family and holding down a job while trying to shop, prepare extra meals, and make travel plans as needed. Decorating the home, wrapping presents, baking, and tending to the needs of family members, friends, or even a boss can add to an already highly charged over-committed season.
For many, another major stressor is financial. It is very easy to over- spend, over-consume and over-charge, which stretches out the stress into a post-holiday season of paying bills. With an endless supply of electronics, toys, tools and gadgets available today there is a tendency to try getting everyone the latest, newest or most expensive ______ fill-in-the-blank. Unfortunately, many of these items are much pricier than the average budget can accommodate.
In addition, fear and anxiety can set it during the holidays, as people wonder about whether they will be totally alone or forgotten. The thought of being alone, unloved and unwanted is a major stressor for the elderly and not-so-elderly, singles and those living far from family and friends, or those are unable to travel.
Feng Shui Tools Create Calm
Feng Shui is a tool to help create balance in your life so you can live a less stressful and more healthy, prosperous and abundant-filled life. Use some of the following techniques to reduce stress, create balance and find more peace and joy in this hectic time of the year.
Plan Ahead - Limit or control stress by planning ahead. To eliminate holiday stressors, plan ahead, not just days but weeks. You only need two simple tools: a pad of paper and a pen or your computer or tablet.
Get busy and make “to do” and “to buy” lists. Get into the habit of writing everything you need to accomplish including exactly what you will be purchasing for gifts – and then stick to your lists. By creating your plan and getting it on paper you will unclutter your thinking, save time and money.
Prioritize Your Time. Make things on your list a priority. If you see it, buy it even if it is not the next item on your list. If you have a couple of extra minutes, do it and get it off your list. Remove those things that take time but are not essential over the next three weeks. Use your lists to prioritize your time by doing only those things on your list first. You will reduce stress and maintain balance by honoring yourself – and your lists.
Prioritize Spending. Don’t over-commit, over-eat or over-spend. This is not a time to be swayed by alluring department ads and website deals to purchase fad items. Nor is this a time to over-use credit cards. Impulse purchasing will not make you or your gift more appreciated but will provide more stress next month when credit card bills come rolling in. You’ll give yourself the gift of self-control.
Make Time for Others. Visit with older relatives, neighbors and friends or stop by a senior care center or visit a shut-in. Give some cookies or a small gift to someone who is not on your gift list but has done really special things for you or gone out of their way to make your life better. You will show kindness to others and receive great joy.
Take Action. Invite people to join you on the day(s) that are most difficult for you if you don’t want to be alone – even if your budget only allows for a peanut and jelly sandwich. Stay busy: volunteer at a soup kitchen to serve meals to those less fortunate; go to a movie or participate in church, synagogue or community activities. Plan ahead so you will not be alone and can experience the joy of the season in your own way.
Find balance through reducing stress creates great Feng Shui energy. Once you have created a stress reduction plan and follow it, abundance and joy are the gifts you give yourself.
© Pat Heydlauff, all rights reserved 2013
Pat Heydlauff, a “flow of focus” expert, speaker and consultant designs home and workplace environments that unleash the flow of focus and maximize performance while creating balance and increasing prosperity. She is author of the forthcoming book, Engage, Unleash the Power of Focus and published books, Feng Shui, So Easy a Child Can Do It, The Way We Go, Your Roadmap to a Better Future and Selling Your Home with a Competitive Edge. Contact her at 561-744-2666 or www.energy-by-design.com.