| p>Are the holidays a blur of cookies, cards, | | | | new breath. |
| presents, wrapping, tree, menorah candles, | | | | 6. Hum or sing. It helps you breathe better and |
| decorations, new clothes, visitors, travel, and | | | | the vibrations invigorate your body and senses. |
| parties? You get overloaded and exhausted just | | | | Try Jingle Bells or Joy to the World! |
| thinking about it--even if you adore the | | | | 7. Twist. Spread your arms wide. Exhale and turn |
| celebrations, family, and friends. | | | | to the right. Inhale as you return to center. Then |
| When the rush and worry get to you, these ten | | | | do the same on the left side. Repeat 3 times |
| tips will energize and relax your holiday season. | | | | each side. Great for your organs, say yoga |
| With a balance of energy and calm, you'll get | | | | teachers. |
| things done and enjoy your cherished memories. | | | | 8. Get rid of stuff. Our brains and bodies work |
| 1. Drink more water. It cleans out your body, fills | | | | hard to manage all the wonderful items we |
| you up, and provides extra oxygen for your busy | | | | possess. Clear a coffee table, give away unused |
| brain (that's why there's an "O" in H2O). Keep a | | | | clothes, reduce your supply of Christmas items |
| mug nearby, or if you don't like water, try tea, a | | | | you have just for memories. |
| spritzer with lemon or eat a tangerine. | | | | 9. Light a fire. Turn off the lights and cozy up to |
| 2. Smell your tree--or that tangerine. Good smells | | | | the warmth and light of a fire--or candles in your |
| stimulate nerves and the release of adrenaline, | | | | fireplace. The light and heat of fire touch a primal, |
| the energy hormone. Smells remind you of years | | | | cozy connection to nature. |
| past--plus they bring you back to the moment. | | | | 10. Volunteer. Even just a few hours in a soup |
| 3. Brush your teeth with minty toothpaste. It | | | | kitchen, baking cookies for a retirement home, |
| stimulates your sense of taste and smell, wakes | | | | wrapping a present for a giving tree reminds you |
| up acupressure points in the mouth, and reduces | | | | that you're part of something bigger. |
| the urge to nibble cookies. | | | | Remembering there's a bigger perspective, |
| 4. Tug on your ears. Speaking of acupressure | | | | especially for Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukkah, |
| points, your ears have tons of them. Acupressure | | | | highlights the purpose of the celebrations. |
| points connect to rivers of healing energy inside | | | | Finally, print this list and keep it at hand. It's easy |
| your body, according to Eastern medicine. If you | | | | to forget even the simplest energy-boosting ideas |
| don't have time to visit an acupuncturist, just | | | | when you're caught up in day-to-day tasks. A |
| gently pull your ears--at the tops, sides, and down. | | | | printed list in your calendar or on the fridge will |
| 5. Exhale. Don't take a deep breath (yet). first | | | | remind you to nurture yourself during this |
| exhale allllll the air out. Keep exhaling. Usually we | | | | wonderful season of togetherness, love, and |
| just exhale the "tidal" air in our lungs. Breathing out | | | | peace. |
| the residual air helps you let go and take a fresh | | | | |