Although the holidays can truly be the most wonderful time of the year they can be the most stressful too.

 

There are some physiological factors that can create stress during the time between Thanksgiving and New Years.

 

These include a lack of sunshine and fresh air- so bundle up and force yourself to go outside-especially after the big holiday meals. You will feel much better.

 

Central heating dries out the air and can contribute to dehydration-keep the water bottle handy.

 

Also consuming excessive amounts of refined sugar can have a profound effect on mood and mental functioning aka the sugar blues. Although most of us will tend to indulge in sweets more than usual, do your best to keep getting back on track throughout the holiday season.

 

In addition to these these physical considerations, it is also a good idea to remember the true/original meaning of the holidays.

 

It is far too easy to get caught up in the frenzy of consumerism that now mark the holidays and forget they are really about the connections between friends, family and something greater than all of us.

 

Not long ago I stumbled upon this profound writing by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

 

The Paradox of Our Age

We have bigger houses but smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicines, but less healthiness;
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We build more computers to hold more information to
produce more copies than ever but have less communication.
We have become long on quantity,
but short on quality.
These are times of fast foods but slow digestion;
Tall man but short character;
Steep profits but shallow relationships.
It's a time when there is much in the window,
but nothing in the room.

 

I believe this writing serves as a reminder as to what is truly important, not only during the holidays but throughout the year as well. Blessings to all of you.

 

I have this really cool e-book the Beginner's Guide to Yoga and Meditation that I would like to send you. Of course there is a catch, however it is a really easy one.

 

My friend Dr. Pat Conte, M.D. has recently published an exciting new book entitled Converging Paths of Ancient Ayurveda and Modern Medicine that is available on Amazon.

 

Being both a Western physician and an Ayurvedic practitioner, Dr. Conte provides insights to both ancient Ayurveda and modern medicine by integrating these two fields of health practice.  

 

I will send you the yoga and meditation book just for visiting the catalog page below (the link will let me know who paid a visit, you don't have to do anything else).Dr. Conte's book is in the early launch stages and it deserves a large audience.