holidays | LSA

01 Dec

Tips for Getting the Most out of the Holiday Season

Holiday Zen

Each year we start to see articles pop up everywhere about holiday stress and how to survive. This year we’d like to take an optimistic stance and set ourselves up for a wonderful experience.

Focus on the journey

What we really mean is let an experience be your gift. Childhood memories and adult memories are built on things we have done and people we have shared them with. A gift of snowshoeing, dance lessons, or maybe just an IOU for a home cooked meal when someone needs a break. Being kind and thoughtful is what really matters. An afternoon creating that terrarium with a friend will mean more than a scented candle. The laughs, the fun and the social connection builds a bond and it is a priceless gift.

Relax

The one thing most of us never have is time to relax and just be. Use the time during the holidays to have that much needed pajama day. Enjoy binge watching on Netflix or reading that book that has been sitting on the shelf waiting for you. Use those things you have been saving for a special occasion like that specialty soap, beautiful candle or a bottle of wine. This is your special occasion. Relax, rejoice and restore.

Meditate

Whether you are a veteran or a newbie, the holidays are the perfect time to meditate. You can try something new with a tapping meditation from Jessica Ortner for a stress-free family gathering.

Tapping is Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as EFT. A great website for more information and some tapping exercises is The Tapping Solution.

Tapping therapy is based on the combined principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. Tapping with the fingertips on specific meridian endpoints of the body, while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations, helps to calm the nervous system, rewire the brain to respond in healthier ways, and restore the body’s balance of energy…..(The Tapping Solution)

Stay Positive

No need to anticipate what hasn’t happened or may not happen at all. Search out the happy moments and choose to focus on those. Giving less energy to the negative things can help you take you power back and see the holidays through a different lense. Staying positive leaves little room for the negative energy or others that can weigh us down. Stay in the moment and enjoy.

24 Dec

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a relaxing and joyous holiday season from all of us at Lidkea Stob and Associates! Holiday Office Hours: Closed Monday December 26. Open Tuesday December 27- 30th, 8:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m

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17 Dec

Enjoying the Holidays

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season brings excitement and sometimes dread all at the same time. There are parties to go to or not go to, shopping, decorating, spending time with friends and family….oh and unrealistic expectations! Yes, during the holiday season we can set ourselves up for failure by thinking we should be able to perform incredible feats in a single bound. So instead of feeling sick, resentful and exhausted during this happy season why not create a plan for success?! Plan to enjoy the holiday season.

Set Obtainable Goals

Can you really be in 3 places at once? Remember every time you say yes to something it means saying no to something else. Don’t over schedule yourself or your family. Take a look at what needs to be done and the time that you have to do it in. Establish priorities and let go of the extras. That last batch of cookies is less important than getting a full night’s sleep.

Take a break

This likely sounds counterintuitive when your to do list and calendar is full, but self care means stopping and taking some time for you. Taking a break allows you to replenish your energy. It is important to your health and wellness. Carve out an hour during your day and curl up with a book or even take a short nap to help refresh.

Let Go of Unrealistic Expectations

When we have unrealistic expectations of others and sometimes even ourselves we can feel letdown. Taking the pressure off yourself to perform incredible feats can be a huge relief. By letting go of these expectations we open up our holiday to possibilities. An article from John Hopkins recommends being mindful of what is important to you during the holidays.

Make Healthy Choices

As tasty as those sugar cookies or glass of wine might be they can actually drain our energy and create a bit of a boomerang effect with our mood. For those of us who love food we have to strategize on how to avoid too much sugar during the holidays. Here are a few good tips from blogger Stephanie Stiavetti from The Culinary Life to help. It’s not about depriving yourself….as they always say, anything in moderation.

Stick to your budget

Thoughtful gifts don’t need to be expensive. Do it yourself essential oil roller balls or bath bombs can be used for sore muscles, to uplift mood or as help for a pounding head. Who wouldn’t love a low maintenance mason jar terrarium you made yourself!? Maybe a gift certificate for a nice dinner at your house or a few hours of babysitting to help a new mom have a break. Be creative but don’t break the bank! We have listed lots of great DIY ideas on our Holiday Pinterest board to get you started.

Spend time with the people you enjoy being with

We can spend so much time trying to fit everyone in but sometimes the people that give us the most joy can get left out. The friend who you’ve been trying to catch up with, your partner who you never seem to have couple time with, or your neighbour who makes you smile with their amazing life stories. Choose who you spend time with wisely and give yourself permission to limit the activities that don’t make you happy. Incorporate these strategies and you should be well on your way to thriving this holiday!

Resources

Thriving During the Holidays by Niki Hall

Winter floral arranging Workshops, The Watering Can, Vineland https://www.thewateringcan.ca/shop/workshops

Sugar Addiction: Avoiding Sugar During The Holidays, The Culinary Life https://www.theculinarylife.com/2009/avoiding-sugar-during-the-holidays/

25 Essential Oil Rollerball Blends and Recipes for Families, Blog: Redefined Mom http://redefinedmom.com/essential-oil-rollerball-blends-recipes-for-families/

Thriving During the Holidays, LSA Pinterest board, https://www.pinterest.com/lidkeas/thriving-during-the-holiday-season/

6 Essential Tips for Surviving the Holidays, Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-tsilimparis/6-essential-tips-for-surv_b_6116234.html

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07 Dec

Thriving not just surviving the holidays!

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season brings excitement and sometimes dread all at the same time. There are parties to go to or not go to, shopping, decorating, spending time with friends and family….oh and unrealistic expectations! Yes, during the holiday season we can set ourselves up for failure by thinking we should be able to perform incredible feats in a single bound. So instead of feeling sick, resentful and exhausted during this happy season why not create a plan for success?! Yes, thrive during the holiday season instead of just surviving.

Set Obtainable Goals

Can you really be in 3 places at once? Remember every time you say yes to something it means saying no to something else. Don’t over schedule yourself or your family. Take a look at what needs to be done and the time that you have to do it in. Establish priorities and let go of the extras.

Choose One Holiday Activity Just For You

Have you always wanted to take that Christmas baking class or learn how to create a holiday urn? Save a little vacation time and sign yourself up. Take a break to do something that replenishes your emotional bank account. Plan it early so that nothing else gets in the way. You will be thankful that you did.

Limit sugar and alcohol

As tasty as those sugar cookies or glass of wine might be they can actually drain our energy and create a bit of a boomerang effect with our mood. For those of us who love food we have to strategize on how to avoid too much sugar during the holidays. Here are a few good tips from blogger Stephanie Stiavetti from The Culinary Life to help. It’s not about depriving yourself….as they always say, anything in moderation.

Stick to your budget

Thoughtful gifts don’t need to be expensive. Do it yourself essential oil roller balls or bath bombs can be used for sore muscles, to uplift mood or as help for a pounding head. Who wouldn’t love a low maintenance mason jar terrarium you made yourself!? Maybe a gift certificate for a nice dinner at your house or a few hours of babysitting to help a new mom have a break. Be creative but don’t break the bank! We have listed lots of great DIY ideas on our Holiday Pinterest board to get you started.

Spend time with the people you enjoy being with

We can spend so much time trying to fit everyone in but sometimes the people that give us the most joy can get left out. The friend who you’ve been trying to catch up with, your partner who you never seem to have couple time with, or your neighbour who makes you smile with their amazing life stories. Choose who you spend time with wisely and give yourself permission to limit the activities that don’t make you happy. Incorporate these strategies and you should be well on your way to thriving this holiday!

Resources

Culinary Classes at Willow Cakes and Pastries, Niagara on the Lake http://www.willowcakes.ca/events-culinary-classes/

Winter floral arranging Workshops, The Watering Can, Vineland https://www.thewateringcan.ca/shop/workshops

Sugar Addiction: Avoiding Sugar During The Holidays, The Culinary Life https://www.theculinarylife.com/2009/avoiding-sugar-during-the-holidays/

25 Essential Oil Rollerball Blends and Recipes for Families, Blog: Redefined Mom http://redefinedmom.com/essential-oil-rollerball-blends-recipes-for-families/

Thriving During the Holidays, LSA Pinterest board, https://www.pinterest.com/lidkeas/thriving-during-the-holiday-season/

6 Essential Tips for Surviving the Holidays, Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-tsilimparis/6-essential-tips-for-surv_b_6116234.html