Blessings: Seven Ways to Celebrate
08/19/2009 | 12:00 AM
- Be moving. Take time out to exercise. Maybe you don’t have time for an hour at the gym every day, but we bet you could find 15 minutes for a short walk around the block, or even some rope-skipping in the warmth of your own house.
- Be strategic. You know how they say you should never go grocery-shopping hungry? The same applies to holiday parties. The last thing you want is to be satisfying a gnawing hunger with brownies or cheese doodles. Have some high-protein snacks on hand so that your cravings have been taken care of. Then enjoy moderate and guilt-free nibbling.
- Be sober (mostly). Stick to straight spirits mixed with low-calorie drinks, wines, green teas and fresh fruit juices. And don’t drink and drive. Ever.
- Be safe. Clean up the house as soon as you finish opening presents. All those small objects, batteries, magnets, small toy parts or packaging pieces are a hazard to toddlers, infants, and pets.
- Be organized. Get your lists ready in advance. This will save you time as well as money. (But if you don't get to it this time around, don't kick yourself over it. There’s always next year…)
- Be grateful. Some of your loved ones may be spending the holidays elsewhere – either because they can’t afford to travel or because they have other obligations. Don’t let hurt feelings take away from your joy of the holidays. It’s great to have too many homes to choose from. And if you’re torn between two families (or even three) consider yourself lucky.
- Be gentle. The holiday season can be an emotionally sensitive time. You may find ordinarily sane people bursting into laugher one minute and tears the next. Bear this in mind and give extra love, laughter and consideration – not just to others but to yourself too!
