The holidays often mean social interaction, lots of food, and good times, but it can also mean stress. And stress can sometimes cause us to forget about self-care. With there being so many holiday survival guides readily available, we at MindBodyHealth wanted to share a little strategy with large implications.

Stay healthier in the weeks ahead by taking MindBodyHealth's 3-minute break to focus on your breathing.

1. Raise awareness of the present moment by deliberately closing your eyes if possible. Acknowledge and register your experience, even if it is not ideal.

2. Gather and redirect your full attention to breathing, to each inbreath and each outbreath as they occur in turn.

3. Expand your awareness from your breathing to a sense of your body as a whole. Maintain this awareness as you re-engage in your holiday activities.

MindBodyHealth is proud to announce the addition of clinician Dr. Melissa Simmons, who will be working with the Adult DBT program, as well as conducting individual therapy and comprehensive psychological assessment. Melissa has a strong background in individual and group therapy, as well as comprehensive assessment. Her energy and overall outlook on life are great assets to our practice. Look for her to develop a Women's Group in 2009. She is now accepting new referrals.

Dr. Simmons completed her pre-doctoral internship at Metro State College's Counseling Center and graduated with her Psy.D. from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 2008. She has provided individual, group, and couples therapy in outpatient and inpatient settings including community mental health centers, college counseling centers, and private practices in both Florida and Colorado. She also has extensive experience in assessment batteries that include administering, supervising, and testing for learning disorders and ADHD, as well as IQ testing for gifted programs. Dr. Simmons is committed to helping people make sense of their lives and relationships by utilizing and implementing mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and DBT skills. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults and supporting each individual by increasing their personal awareness, experiences, and strengths.

This Wednesday, December 17, Dr. Clancy will be a guest on the Internet radio show "Mom's the Word." You can listen live at www.castlerockradio.com between 10:00 - 11:00 AM. Shows are later archived on that site if you're not able to listen live.

Mom's the Word (www.MomsTheWordShow.com) is a witty talk show full of no-nonsense parenting advice featuring hosts Maura and Maureen and "working mom correspondent, " Denise Berger. Dr. Clancy will be on to discuss eating disorders and other issues related to families, parenting and health psychology. Thanks for listening!