With Santa comes Stress!

Tis the season where everyone is in a hurry to get from one place to another, buying gifts for all their loved ones and friends, and eventually making it to the grocery store for the perfect festive meals. I’m guilty like so many others.  However, those of us that work full time and try to manage these additional errands want to pull our hair out (if you have any left) to get this all done.

I spent the weekend running a few errands myself and was utterly amazed at the number of people that think they are the only ones out there needing to get things done. I stood in the middle of the Shoppers Health Care parking lot with another shopper – if it was fly season, I’m sure we both would have ended with a few in our mouths!

WE ARE THE CAUSE OF OUR OWN STRESS!

Getting the perfect gift or having the perfect Christmas tree or making the perfect festive meal is all in OUR minds; no one else’s. Keeping it in perspective especially this time of the year,  is so important to avoiding those post holiday blues.  Yes, it’s Christmas but NO we don’t need to go absolutely psycho because of it. Make your list; shop when no one else is shopping; be courteous to fellow humans; remember it’s Christmas afterall.

Take a breather from shopping at a local restaurant and enjoy the entire day with love in your hearts. Reduce your store bought shopping lists to hugs and kisses on Christmas Day! It isn’t the presents we get or the big meals we gorge ourselves on that is important. It’s the time we take to spend with family and friends.

With my son starting Basic Military Training right after New Years, I can guarantee you that my fight with local neighbours in the check out line is zilch, nadda, niente, zero!  I’m sure you get my drift.  There isn’t a thing I could buy, or meal I could make that would allow me to take an inordinate amount of time away from precious moments with him.  Think about it!

There are so many people in the world today, in our own backyards, that don’t get gifts at Christmas and don’t have family to visit with them this time of year.  Avoid the stress and do some good for others. Take your family to a local nursing home and share the holiday with those less fortunate than us, in the only way that really counts on this earth; people being with people.

My children and I have foregone our own Christmas in the past to spend the day together at a local nursing home.  What joy we brought to those men and women long forgotten by their families, being taken care of by paid staff. So while you are all out there running around trying to get everything perfect, remember that perfect is underrated by a long shot. Give from the heart, not from the wallet. Your heart will fill with love and patience, much needed during this holiday season.

English: Christmas Day in a nursing home Noon on Christmas Day and the residents of Gallions View 369824 are waiting for their Christmas lunch. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Corporate New Year’s Resolutions – What will yours be?

Sydney. Fireworks Newyear 2006. Opera House and Harbour. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

59 days to Christmas and 65 to the infamous New Year’s Eve! 

Now I know I’m a bit early with the mention of the holiday season but this is a crucial time of the year for Corporations.  Most are sitting around the boardroom discussing next year’s planning of events.  Great for those that have already finished this process but for those companies still making decisions, MAKE IT A HEALTHY YEAR.

A little history about New Year‘s – the Romans dedicated this day to Janus – the god of gates, doors and beginnings.  Janus had two faces – one looking forward and the other looking backward. So as we look back on 2012, we can have perspective on where we are going for next year. If keeping your employees healthy wasn’t on the agenda last year – make it so for 2013.

Most of us make New Year’s Resolutions that involve some type of healthy promise – lose weight, stop smoking, start an exercise program. With the influx of information regarding health coming at us from all directions – it is important to look at the workplace as a venue that provides employees with opportunities to start thinking about getting healthier. Corporately, this is a win-win situation.

So where to start?  Health Fairs are a great way to start the year as local health practitioners are always anxious to share their services with the community. Shopping for health care services such as massage therapist, fitness coach, nutritionist becomes difficult when you are working full time.  Employers can make this easier for employees by taking the time to coordinate a Health Fair that exposes their workers to an array of services that is sure to please everyone.  Don’t restrict yourself to the practitioners you know.  Consider a diverse list of modalities and treatment options from a variety of holistic practitioners too! such as Reiki, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Naturopathy.

Another suggestion is to create a Health & Wellness Committee with employees and management together deciding on future healthy steps. Better yet – make some long term strategic plans that will place the HEALTH in Health & Safety at the forefront of your programs.

One third of New Year’s Resolutions are broken by the end of January.  Don’t be a statistic!

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