| Are you already beginning to panic with the holidays | | | | you do just that one thing and accomplish few |
| looming in the near distance? Do you get weary just | | | | others you will feel your holiday season was a |
| thinking about holiday shopping, entertaining, the | | | | complete success and filled with joy. |
| crowds and the expense? Or, have you learned to | | | | STEP 5. Fill your kitchen with aromas and scents that |
| proceed peacefully through the holiday season using | | | | fondly remind you of Christmas's Past such as home |
| Feng Shui as your guide? | | | | baked goods and mulled cider or wine. They will |
| The holiday season does not need to be hectic, | | | | provide you a sense of love and security through |
| harried nor harassing. Ideally you should be able to | | | | your past memories of family and friends gathered |
| enjoy the hustle and bustle while being in complete | | | | together. It doesn't matter whether you are a |
| control of yourself and your surroundings. If just the | | | | gourmet chef or never set foot in the kitchen. What |
| thought of the holiday season leaves you annoyed, | | | | matters are the feelings evoked by the fragrances. |
| aggravated and stressed out, Feng Shui just might | | | | Use scented candles if necessary to create the |
| be your answer. | | | | feelings of abundance and cheer. Burn those candles |
| 7 Steps to Help You Reduce Holiday Stress | | | | daily in a safe container. |
| STEP 1. Stop procrastinating, worrying and fretting: | | | | STEP 6. Play the music of the season. Begin today if |
| begin now! In the world of Feng Shui this would fall | | | | you like. The holiday season is filled with some of the |
| into the category of uncluttering your world. Now is | | | | most joyous uplifting and encouraging music ever |
| the time to organize your thinking, develop your plans | | | | composed yet it is relegated to a short few 30 days |
| and get the process rolling. Temporarily put aside | | | | in our calendar year. Play it while making your lists, |
| things that can wait until after the holidays so they | | | | while uncluttering your home, wrapping gifts, calling |
| don't silently nag you for attention while you are | | | | friends, entertaining and preparing those special foods. |
| busy doing those things that are necessary for you | | | | Allow those wonderful sounds to permeate your |
| to have a happy, successful holiday season. | | | | heart and soul. Stress is nowhere to be found when |
| STEP 2. Make lists today or this weekend to get you | | | | the heart is joyful. |
| on track and keep you there. Create a gift list and | | | | STEP 7. Do something kind for yourself. So often |
| carry it with you at all times so you can refer to it at | | | | you think of everyone else during this season but |
| a moments notice and purchase items as you see | | | | forget to take care of yourself. You need to be |
| them. You will save time. You will also save money | | | | nurtured and receive love right along with all of those |
| because you will be less likely to do impulse shopping | | | | other special people in your life. Buy yourself a gift, |
| which is costly. As you check off each purchase your | | | | spend one day at a day spa, sit down and watch a |
| stress level will turn into a smile. Make a food list and | | | | favorite holiday movie, read old time holiday classic |
| buy those extra things that are not perishable over | | | | stories to the children, take a long hot shower. Do |
| the next several weeks. Place perishables on a "buy | | | | something that will bring you joy while the hectic |
| when needed" list that includes the date item needed. | | | | holiday season races by. Reflect on the goodness of |
| STEP 3. Unclutter your home now so there is ample | | | | your life, meditate, and be grateful for all things |
| room for holiday flowers, garland and decorations. | | | | present and past. Look to the future and dare to |
| Get rid of all of the stacks of stuff you've | | | | dream. |
| accumulated over the last 12 months - don't just | | | | Stress abounds during such a busy time of the year. |
| move it but actually look at it and either file it, store | | | | Everyone is in a hurry and tends to have a short |
| it or get rid of it. If you haven't used it in 12 months | | | | fuse including family members, friends and your boss |
| do you really need to keep it? The more clutter free | | | | so stress levels go up and up. |
| your home is the more enjoyable and calm your | | | | Eliminate stress for good making this a hassle-free |
| holidays will be. | | | | season for you by uncluttering both your |
| STEP 4. Determine today, right now, what the single | | | | surroundings and thinking. Then make lists so you can |
| most important thing is you want to do or person | | | | be organized, efficient and utilize your time and |
| you want to see during the holidays that will make | | | | money very effectively. Following these few steps |
| your holidays perfect. Put this one thing at the very | | | | will make your holidays less stressful and much more |
| top of your to-do list, and then do it first. Everything | | | | joyful. |
| else should take second place to that one thing. If | | | | |