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