-Increased demands on top of already busy work and family schedules.
-The lack of sunlight during this time of year.
-Mood swings related to the over consumption of sugars, sweets and alcohol.
-Unrealistic expectations of having a "perfect" holiday and then being disappointed when it isn't.

The first item listed, increased demands, can actually be a problem throughout the year. It seems like we all have endless "to do" lists that continue to grow geometrically.

Yet experience shows us that making time for rest and relaxation actually allows you to meet your challenges with greater energy and enthusiasm.

Consider this question, "when is the most important time to let go and relax?" Answer: when you don't think you have the time to do so!

Consistently finding time to step outside the demands of daily living can be a challenge, yet it is doable. Even mini-breaks can provide great benefit.

-If you are a "to-do" list kind of person you may need to schedule times in your day to relax and let go. Remember this is going to allow you to do more and do better in the future, so it is a priority and not negotiable.

-Set a time limit for your relax and let go times, especially if you are on a tight schedule. This way you won't be anxious worrying about getting back to the grind as might happen if you left the time frame open-ended. If you are going to relax, don't "multi-task", do a proper job of it and then move along.

-During your relax and let go times you may wish to practice meditation, self-hypnosis, deep breathing, stretching, engage in some fun reading or just "zone out."

 

-Generally I would recommend that you do not play on the computer or channel surf the TV during these scheduled breaks. Its interesting to note that when people are feeling stressed they will often mindlessly engage in one of these two activities and "lose" hours of time and become more stressed afterwards because of the wasted time. 

 

P.S. If the stress of the holidays is causing you to feel like you are losing control of healthy patterns of thought, feeling and action, there is a special offer being extended exclusively to the Creative Calm readership that can help. If this might apply to you, please visit Holiday Stress O9'.  

Unlike many self-hypnosis recordings that target a specific goal like eating habits or quitting smoking, SWH can help with virtually any type of change a person is looking to make.

Specifically crafted suggestions  are offered to elevate the listeners overall self-confidence while decreasing unhealthy stress.  It is well known within the hypnosis community that when an individual begins to feel better, they often do better.
 
The SWH program is unique in that it can be safely used while driving or performing other activities-a real boon to busy people who may not be able to regularly devote 20+ minutes a day to use a standard hypnotic induction.  Simply play the audio as a background sound and your subconscious mind will absorb the suggestions effortlessly. What a great use of commuting time!

Please note that you can also use the audio program while relaxing or falling asleep if you so desire too.

Waking self-hypnosis or autosuggestion can be as equally effective as suggestion coupled with a formal trance state. It is the intention and the act of deliberately choosing which thoughts you focus on that is truly important!

If interested how you can download your copy please visit my Online Store at :http://www.njhypno.com/therapeutic_metaphors.html 

I will be offering such a presentation at the Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library on January 4, 2010 at 7 PM entitled "Hypnosis, Resolutions and YOU."

 

Participants will learn about ways to keep their healthy resolutions and can take part in fascinating experiments that demonstrate the power of suggestion. The library is at 301 Chambers Bridge Road in Brick and their telephone number is (732) 477-4513