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Wanna Be Grinch-Resistant?
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Dear Friends of Balancing Act,
With Black Friday just behind us and a holiday month ahead, there's always the possibility that the overload could turn you into a Grinch, that Dr. Seuss character with "a heart two sizes too small."
So what to do?
Some heart-enlarging exercises, I say. And positive psychologists have already done the work to come up with some that can lift your mood and beef up your holiday resilience.
This newsletter is devoted to sharing a few that you can do in little time and for no cost. And when you are done, you will feel like doing - ta-dah! - the Gratitude Dance.
Here's to a Grinch-resistant holiday season!
Pat
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Count Your Kindnesses 
A quick rebound from down in the dumps is to focus on someone other than yourself.
Those random acts of kindness benefit you as well as the recipient.
You can increase the impact on your own positive emotion by designating a day for doing, writing down and counting the kindnesses you do.
So go on a secret mission to see how many small acts of kindness you can perform for others in a single day. And see how you feel when you're done. I'm guessing that making their day will make yours as well.
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Savor The Season!
 Savoring, or stopping to take in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the season, is an excellent way to increase your positive emotion during the holidays.
So what is it for you?
The smell of gingerbread men baking? Hanukkah applesauce simmering in the crockpot? A certain holiday tune?
Whatever pleases your holiday senses, treat yourself to a date with it now. Breathe it in. Taste even a dab. Take in the sounds.
This sensory meditation can build your resilience for the days ahead.
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Do ruminations over holiday plans and relationships take you into a tailspin of negative thinking?
There's power in just STOPPING it, and to do that, psychology researcher Sonia Lyubomirsky recommends breaking free, taking action to solve the problem, and dodging those times, places and people who trigger your overthinking.
In her book The How of Happiness, she suggests five ways to break free when rumination comes on: (1) distract yourself with positive activites; (2) tell yourself (loudly) to "Stop It!"; (3) set aside a daily "rumination period," preferably at a time when you're not anxious or sad; (4) find a sympathetic ear and talk it out; and (5) write out your ruminations. No need to use all five. One or two that come most naturally will do just fine.
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Do The Gratitude Dance!
Gratitude is one of the most powerful builders of positive emotion. So the more gratitude you can muster during the holidays, the better.
Take a moment out of your harried day to join in this gratitude dance.
 Copyright 2012 Pat Snyder |
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CAN YOU LAUGH AT HOLIDAY CHAOS?
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Sometimes, in the throes of holiday preparations, it's not easy to laugh away the chaos.
If you need extra help, tune in to the podcast from Pat's latest appearance on WOSU-FM's "All Sides With Ann Fisher." With Columbus Dispatch travel writer Steve Stephens, they fielded calls from readers who had experienced holiday travel disasters.
If the armadillo encounter in Texarkana and the Thanksgiving spent at a Midas Muffler Shop don't chase away the Grinch, we don't know what will.
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LEASH LAW NO. 47: DISASTER-PROOFING THE HOLIDAYS
At the end of the season, it helps to list what went right and what went wrong. Then, tape it to the Christmas tree stand or cookie recipe book so you actually bump into it before the big day. Read it over before the next season begins. Then take precautionary measures. This is derived from one of 74 leash laws offered in Pat's book, The Dog Ate My Planner: Tales and Tips from an Overbooked Life.  |
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