“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!'”
Audrey Hepburn
Top 10 Ways to Survive Dread-ember
It was an effective exercise in venting and I feel much better. I wrote my blog on “Dread-ember” listing all the reasons I strongly dislike this month and the holiday season in general. Then, I read it over, accepted my grievances, realized I was being grumpy (albeit honest) and admitted that I don’t want to bring other people down who legitimately love this season.
However, I will equate my problems this month with one word – STRESS. December is, legitimately, the most stressful month of the year. Shopping and presents, food preparation, cards, socializing, crowds, different schedules and routines, decorations, spending, pressure to buy the right thing for the right person – and not forgetting anyone.
Instead of harping on all the reasons I struggle this time of year, I am going to be productive and offer some practical suggestions for people that also have issues getting through to January. Here are Julie’s TOP 10 TIPS based on my own experiences as a busy mom, but also as an occupational therapist who often helps people to break down tasks into more manageable, and less stressful chunks:
- PLANNING – this is everything. Often the stress of shopping is not the shopping per se, but rather the planning beforehand. Who do I need to buy for? What will I get them? When do I need to deliver it or mail it so it is received on time? Spending endless hours in the mall looking for the “right gift” works for some, but for others some planning ahead of time can really reduce the stress of the season.
- ORGANIZATION – plan it, buy it, store it, and then cross it off your list. Make separate lists – cards to send, presents to buy, food to coordinate, functions to attend, decorating to do – then set it and forget it. Pull out one list a week, tackle it, and then discard. Repeat.
- START EARLY – don’t be a dude and end up in the mall on the 24th. If you do, say hi to my husband. Seriously though, starting early can really reduce the pressure to get it all done in time. Personally, last year I was done my shopping September 9, and this year I bought my first present in February and was done in August. Soon, I will use Boxing Day to shop for the next Christmas. But being done early lets me focus on other things in December, and allows me to avoid the crowds and chaos on the roads and in the malls.
- GIVE BACK – nothing says Christmas more than charity. Think of those less fortunate, donate your time, no-longer used items, or money to those that are less fortunate. Get your kids involved with this by sponsoring a family, sorting through toys they no longer need, or having them come with you when you drop off donations. Have a social gathering and in lieu of a hostess gift, ask for items for the local food bank.
- GET OUTSIDE – I agree with this completely. Cold schmold. Put on some layers and get some fresh air. Snow is beautiful, the air is crisp, and getting outside will really assist with de-stressing and avoiding seasonal affective disorders. If it is windy, hit the trails to escape the wind chill. If you are alone, listen to some tunes. Last winter I would always hike with my snow pants on so that if the mood struck, I was freely able to stop for some snow angels (which I do).
- MAKE A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT – this world of abundance does not mean we need to live that way. What can you afford? Make a list within your budget, total it, and stick to it. Financial strain is stressful anyway, let alone this time of year when there are high expectations to buy the right gift, that “wow” item, and to think of so many people. Simplify – draw names, play a gift giving game, or just consider “togetherness” and a pleasant meal as your gift to each other. Consider giving people photos you have taken in the year that you can print in larger sizes for minimal cost, or do what we do and make a DVD of the kids from the year set to their favorite music for the grandparents. This year, we realized we have a bunch of Visa points and will be clearing these off to save our bank account.
- MAKE IT PRACTICAL. Sometimes the practical gifts are the best. Kid’s activities are expensive and some money towards the hockey skates, dance outfit, or Karate uniform would be appreciated by most parents. Or, everyone needs haircuts, and Mom’s love Starbucks or Tim’s, getting their nails done, a massage, or maybe even a housecleaning service as a treat.
- LAUGH. Never underestimate the value of a good laugh. Time with friends, or a good movie can do wonders for the psyche during this hectic time. My favorite holiday movies are Christmas Vacation and Elf, and of course the timeless A Christmas Story. Grab some eggnog or a warm tea, curl up with a blanket and laugh for a while…
- SIMPLIFY – try buying things online. They come to your door! Shopping online provides a practical way to compare prices, avoid the crowds, save some travel and search time, and to look around without being bothered. Toys, books, games – these are all great online gifts.
- DELEGATE – can anyone help you? Perhaps provide a list of items to your spouse that they can grab on their lunch break maybe for the teachers, bus driver, or the table gifts or stocking stuffers. Do you have a parent that can hit the mall with a list for you? Can the kids help you with stuff envelopes and mailing these? You don’t need to tackle the stress of Christmas alone.
But the biggest thing I think we need to realize is that not everyone enjoys this time of year. For some, it will bring terrible or sad memories, guilt, pressure, stress, financial hardship, anxiety, and loneliness. Respect that not everyone can manage this season as they would like, and if that means you are missing a card, an email, present or phone call from someone you expected to hear from, let it go. We all have different capacities to manage stress, and the holiday season is no exception.
Daily Dose of Inspiration
” In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”
Bill Cosby
Weekly Mind Bender
An eight year old kid challenged his classmates that he can make the number one disappear by adding something to it.
How can he do that ?
He adds a letter “G” before ONE and it will be GONE.
Daily Dose of Inspiration
The following poem was written by a young girl dying of cancer. It reminds us to slow down and “hear the music before the song is over.”
Stay Sane This Holiday Season
The Holiday season is well underway. Many feel, as the song says, that “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” however, it can also be the most stressful time of the year. Stress can have a very negative effect on your body and mind and can lead to other ailments and mental health issues such as depression. The following tips from the Mayo Clinic provide ways to cope during this busy time and to keep stress at bay so you can enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.
The Mayo Clinic: Stress, depression and the holidays. Tips for coping
Daily Dose of Inspiration
“It’s the heart afraid of dying, that never learns to dance; it’s the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance. It’s the one who won’t be taken, who cannot seem to give; and the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live.”
“The Rose,” by Amanda McBroom
International Day of the Disabled Person
I love the saying that we are all “temporarily able bodied”. How true. Each one of us, at any time, are one situation, condition, virus, bacteria, accident, or even random event away from becoming disabled physically, emotionally, behaviorally or cognitively. Or, really, many of us are already disabled – visibly or invisibly, and I truly believe the saying: “be kind to all you meet as everyone is fighting a hard battle” – Plato.
This definition of disability from Wikipedia speaks to how all-encompassing the word really is:
Disability is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. A disability may be present from birth, or occur during a person’s lifetime.
Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus, disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.
The last sentence is especially true. A disability is an interaction of the person and their environment. This is why I love being an Occupational Therapist. While I do enjoy helping people to function better through therapy that improves physical, cognitive, behavioral or emotional abilities, I also take pride in tackling the environmental aspects of functional problems. If we can’t change the person, we can try to change the environment in which they live, and the spaces in which they need to function. This “holistic” view of disability is, in my opinion, one of the key facets of Occupational Therapy.
I wanted to celebrate this important day by listing some of my most favorite quotes about disability:
“The only disability in life is a bad attitude” – Scott Hamilton
“I choose to not place “DIS” in my ability” – Robert M. Hensel
“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision” – Stevie Wonder
“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but cannot be taken away unless surrendered” – Michael J Fox
“We know that equality of individual ability never has existed and never will, but we do insist that equality of opportunity still must be sought” – Franklin D Roosevelt
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do” – Helen Keller
So, consider that we are all vulnerable and only temporarily able bodied. We need to celebrate humanity – in all’s its forms, including the form that is “disability”.
Daily Dose of Inspiration
Giving Tuesday
What do you buy for that person on your list who has everything? Why not the gift of hope for someone who has nothing at all. Charitable gifts are available through many organizations such as World Vision and Unicef. Today is “Giving Tuesday” and what better day than today to start to think about those less fortunate than yourself. After the spending sprees of “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” this event comes as a welcome change. Now in its second year, “Giving Tuesday” is a day for all to step back, forget about the current stresses of holiday prep and shopping lists and think about those across the globe who are sick, hungry, cold and living without the basic necessities we sometimes take for granted. Many non-profit organizations and registered charities across the world are asking you to take part today on “Giving Tuesday” by giving of yourself resources, money, or time to help someone in need.
For more information on “Giving Tuesday” and how you can give to those in need, please visit www.givingtuesday.ca in Canada or www.givingtuesday.org in the United States.