Reduce Your Holiday Stress
by Joan Bolmer, Professional Certified Coach

As the holidays season approaches I always get a variety of questions about how to reduce stress.  It all really boils down to how to stay happy, calm, healthy and vibrant for the whole holiday season. Hope you will find the ideas below helpful.

Plan Ahead
Ask yourself what would my perfect holiday season look, sound & feel like? Then make a list of tasks and activities you want to accomplish.  List what resources, time, energy, space, things, money, etc. will be required.  Use your day timer to plan backwards from the event(s) to the current date and allow time in your schedule for the unexpected.  Now plan in time to rest and relax.

Get Organized and Delegate
This is a good time to delegate to employees, friends, family, committee members, etc. routine tasks.  Make file folders for the tasks you want to delegate with checklists and instructions.  Shop on the internet and by catalog as much as possible and have gifts delivered to the person or your door.  Make use of pick up and delivery services for everything from dry cleaning and car repair to party rentals and cookies for your child's class Christmas party.

Set Boundaries
Let your clients, boss, family, etc. know well in advance and in writing when you will and will not be available for what.  Projects may need to be broken down into pieces with delivery dates spaced out to accommodate the extra tasks and interruptions of the holidays.  Set due dates with employees, suppliers and contractors well in advance of your expected need. Within reason, don't become the victim of other people's poor planning.  Learn to say NO.

Practice Extreme Personal Self Care
During times of high stress it is easy to start running on adrenaline instead of 'real' energy.  When the adrenaline runs out we may find ourselves, exhausted, depressed and perhaps even sick.  During stressful times we need extra support to maintain a high state of well being. Try the following:
*  Limit intake of caffeine, sugar and alcohol (stressors)
*  Don't forget your nutritional supplements.
*  Do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.  A brisk walk outdoors, workouts, swimming, yoga stretching, dancing, sports, Tai Chi etc.
* Take several 5 minute centered breathing breaks a day. Try relaxation visualizations to soft music.
*  Scheduled pamper time.  Massages, a facial, hot bath or hot tub time.
*  Get extra sleep and take naps whenever possible.

Adopt An Attitude of Gratitude
For a few minutes each morning before you get out of bed think of 5 things that you are grateful for in your life.  Notice that all you have right now is enough and perfect just as it is and anything more is just more. Several times a day take stock of all that you and others have accomplished and give acknowledgment to yourself and others for what is on track.  This will give everyone the spirit and energy to tackle the next task. Before you drift off to sleep make a mental note of all the challenges you have met this day and the problems you solved.  Acknowledge the things you did to nourish and maintain your own well being and that of others. Give yourself a 'well done' and know that tomorrow you will do all that is important to do, even if it is not everything on your to do list.  Go to sleep with a smile on your face and gratitude for a night of peaceful rest.

Joan Bolmer is a business and personal coach with 30 years experience. Major areas of focus with clients are: marketing, communication skills, time management, personal and business organizational systems, staying focused on key result priorities and extreme personal self care. For more information on Joan's services visit her web site at www.bolmer.com. To schedule a one time FREE 45 minute coaching session, send an Email to: Joan@bolmer.com or call, 713.785.0830, or toll free 1.888.632.3425.