11/05/2012

Greetings, Neighbors! The holidays are rapidly approaching! These next 2 months can either be wonderful or your worst nightmare! It really is up to you. A few tips to make this a pleasant and happy holiday season for you and your family:

• For those of us living out in the middle of God?s country away from the city lights and hub-bub, shopping online can save so much time, energy and money. Look for coupons and promotion codes, free shipping offers, and return policies before you buy. Also, be sure to check holiday ordering deadlines to make sure your gifts will arrive in time.
• Be smart and aware. Every holiday season, fires claim the lives of over 400 people and cause over $990 million in damage. You can keep your family safe by using nonflammable decorations, not overloading electrical sockets, and avoiding the use of lit candles. If you have a live Christmas tree, water it regularly. Dry trees could catch on fire and rapidly fill your room with deadly gases.

• Be honest with yourself. This is not a good time of year to attempt weight loss. But you can prevent weight gain if you plan ahead. It can be hard to choose healthy foods when the holidays are filled with temptations like sweets and desserts. Before a holiday party, have a cup of vegetable soup or some fresh vegetables or fruit so that you aren?t starved and go overboard. Another way to maintain your weight over the holidays is to enjoy your meals, but avoid oversized portions. It?s also important to balance food choices with physical activity to avoid weight gain.
• The holidays are a joyous time of the year for many people, which can make it more stressful if you are depressed. Exercise, focusing on positive relationships, and doing things that you find rewarding can help with depression. Winter depression could be a sign of seasonal affective disorder, which is caused by the lack of sunlight. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
• Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
• ????????? Last but not least, sit back, close your eyes and think of all the things you are thankful for. If it helps, write them down. We can be so overwhelmed by all the activities and financial stress that accompany the holidays, we lose sight of the good things in our lives. Take care of yourself. You are important.

Happy Holidays to all! ~Brenda Whelan, RORA BOD Treasurer