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[F670]Free Holiday Music Downloads

by Beth Tabak, Bet

Can you feel the holiday jitters beginning? Suddenly there it is right around the corner. Relax! Take time to plan well today and ease into the holidays with a big smile. Grab your journal and pen, and let’s get started.

1- Reminisce over previous holidays- In your journal create two columns and label them What Works and Not That Again. Under What Works list activities that come naturally, bring you joy, and ease into place. Under Not That Again list challenges. Jot down energy draining activities that bring you down. What changes will you make to delegate, dump, or modify the items in the Not That Again column and embrace more of what is in the What Works column?

2- Choose a theme that motivates you- What is most important this holiday? Base your theme on that. If you want to cut out traveling consider “Home for the Holidays". If your budget is tight ponder “Simply Sensational". Your theme keeps you focused. One that honors your spirituality could be "Faith and Family First". Or choose a favorite quote such as Mahatma Gandhi's “Be the Change You Wish to see in the World". Be creative, have fun, and write it down.

3- Set your top 4 priorities- Base them on what you really want which connects with your theme. Get crystal clear. Write them down. When you know your priorities you are able to respond easily to a request and set boundaries. When someone asks you to get involved look at your priorities and see if it serves them. If it does, consider it. If not, the answer is likely no.

4- Create a Map- If you took a big trip without planning you would likely get lost, waste time, and experience anxiety. It makes sense to plan at the holidays when so many areas of our lives are affected: time, energy, personal care, relationships, physical environment, and finances. Consider creating a task list thru the end of the year. It takes a block of time but saves time and stress. It will rescue you from running in circles, going back and forth to the same place, and trying to remember what is next. In the past I have had hundreds of items on my task list. No wonder we get stressed when we attempt to keep it in our heads.

Here's a tool to help. Pick up a task list at the website below or create your own. On your computer create a chart with 4 columns. Use your theme for the header. Under your theme list your priorities horizontally. Label the columns in a way that is helpful to you. I use Business, Personal, Holiday, and Need List. Use small font and minimal margin space to fit as many rows as possible. Print your map. List your tasks and add on as they come to you. Keep your map with you at all times. Schedule blocks of time to carry out the tasks. Have fun and build momentum as you make progress. Remember to save it for next year.

5- Simplify- Every task must be handled. You can do it, delegate it, or dump it. Eliminate what does not serve your priorities. What can you get help on? Get rid of those items on your Not That Again list. Hire out when possible. Ask guests to bring a dish instead of you doing it all. Get your family involved and remember that things do not have to be perfect. Let go! This will give you the freedom to embrace what you truly enjoy this season.

6- Set a budget- Develop a budget that feels good. There are lots of ways to have a special holiday without adding stress to the budget. Show people they are appreciated. Plan family fun and activities. Let someone know what is special about them in a card, letter, cassette, or video. Be creative. Hide gifts, wrap up boxes with little clues inside, and let the kids have a scavenger hunt. Don't let a tight budget steal your joy. Make it fun and begin 2007 stress-free.

7- Set boundaries- Decide now what you will not tolerate. Write it down. Remember your Not That Again list? Is there someone who ropes you into things you don't want to do? Have the conversation that is overdue. Be compassionate, and no is no. If someone keeps asking after you have said no they are trying to control you. Setting boundaries is about educating others on how they can treat you. Is there someone you need to educate?

8- Schedule time for planning and yourself- When is a good time to update your plan? When can you take time for you? Put it on your calendar each week thru the end of the year. Keep the appointments. Add this line to your day timer as a reminder: "I have an appointment in honor of myself this _________ (day) at __:__ (time) to do something special for me because I sooooooo deserve it!"

9- Give in a way that gives you joy vs. obligation- When you give in a way that comes naturally, you stay authentic to yourself. Thereby, you are able to share your own special gifts with others. When you are doing what you love, life clicks. If there is a situation you are dreading, think about how you can tweak it to handle it in a way that would bring you more joy.

10- Take action now- Begin today so that you are tying up your last bows well before the pitter patter of hoofs on the rooftop. Keep your holiday journal and map close at hand. The sooner you complete your tasks, the sooner you can sit back, smile, prop your feet up, sip your favorite hot beverage, and enjoy the atmosphere you created this season!

What I want for you is to take the first step...Starting~Now!

It’s a wonderful time of year, but with all the activities, excitement and family obligations taking place at the same time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed and even a tad bit gloomy. Here are 9 simple steps to relax, let go and really enjoy a truly happy holiday!

1.Reflect on what an inspiration you are to others. The time you spend, the love you give and the enthusiasm with which you do it all with is what matters most to people close to you. The beautifully wrapped presents and bows are far less important than your loving friendship. You are appreciated and cherished in the lives of so many people. Love yourself with the same appreciation.

2.Be honest with yourself and don’t stuff your feelings. As you start to feel range of emotions this holiday… whether it is joy or fear… frustration or liberation…Don’t push them away like last season’s Prada bag. Give them a special place. It will be far easier to enjoy the holiday if you are honest with yourself and experience all the good, bad and normal parts of life. Be as accepting and generous with yourself as you are with the people in your life you care about the most.

3.Show empathy and compassion. Our internal perception is reality. Whenever you show kind hearted compassion, you’ll get it back in return.

4.Be grateful for all the wonderful differences, preferences and opinions that you will encounter this holiday. Try to view life from a different perspective. Talk about differences that may come up in a loving way and make a special effort to sit on the same side of the table (literally and figuratively). See if you can find it in your heart to love and appreciate Uncle Joe’s crazy quirk that normally sends you through the roof. The joy and peacefulness of understanding another’s perspective while still honoring your own is a feeling to be savored!

5.Get plenty of sleep and squeeze in a few extra minutes to rest and relax. Sleep may seem like an indulgence this time of year, but it is absolutely essential to good health and a positive holiday outlook. Rest, slow-down and catch plenty of zzz’s. Be decadent and treat yourself to 3 -5 minutes a day without any books, junk mail or return calls. Take time to breathe, relax, reflect and introspect. If you’re feeling really sassy lie on your back and spread out in the middle of the living floor. Is 3 minutes of your day just for one month too much to ask?

6.Try letting go and see what marvels happen! Let go of one small thing that’s really been getting to you. Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen? Just for kicks, reflect back on a particularly stressful holiday situation last year. How bad was it really? Did worry consume you for nothing? I’m guessing that the turnout wasn’t as bad as all the images swimming in your head. And, there may have even been a hidden blessing after all. In the scheme of things, our daily worries are trivial. Try to let them go… and go with the flow!

7.Find opportunities throughout the day to bond and make a human connection. Make a conscious and loving effort to be attentive and live in the present moment. A sure fire quick way to work yourself up is to let your mind run a million miles an hour of things you could, should or would be doing. These random relentless thoughts will just make you anxious and nervous. Take the time to look into peoples’ eyes; listen carefully to what they have to say and pass them a compliment about something you know is important to them. That goes for strangers too! You will enjoy your time together that much more… and so will they.

8.Change up the scenery. Rather than going through your same daily routine, shake it up a bit! Close your eyes at night before you drift off and sleepily anticipate a self indulgent wild and crazy day. Roll out of bed on the opposite side. Light a scented candle in the bathroom and watch the flame flicker in the morning light. Crank up your favorite piece of inspiring music before you do anything else in the morning. Walk backward through the house. Try tea instead of coffee. Call an old friend you haven’t talked to in ages. Talk to strangers! Take the scenic route home. Wave to the stressed out folks who cut you off on the freeway. What else can you think of that could change up your scenery and shake some smiles out of you?

9.Treat yourself as you would treat others. Write yourself a love note. Buy yourself fresh stems of flowers. Soak your feet. Valet park the car. Have your groceries delivered. Send your undies to the cleaners. Snuggle with a blankie. Take a long walk. Sleep in. Watch the sunset. Sing yourself a love song. Do all the things for yourself you wish others would do for you!

Enjoy the most fabulous holiday season of all times!

Article Source : desktop stress relief

About Author

Both Beth Tabak & Julie Hunt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Beth Tabak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cosmetic Surgery, Self Improvement and Motivation and Stress Management. Beth Tabak of is 100% committed to small business coaching & personal life coaching. She is also a speaker and columnist.. Beth Tabak's top article generates over 1300 views. to your Favourites.

Julie Hunt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Stress Management. Julie Hunt is a female icon and founder of SHE, the foremost inspiration and personal development resource for women who want to live brilliant, happy, successful lives. Marketing consultant, sales expert, copywriting guru, improvisational actress, yoga i. Julie Hunt's top article generates over 590 views. to your Favourites.