Yule is coming!

Yule is nearly upon us and now is the time of year for a riot of activities, places to go and people to see. A cacophony of visitors, phone calls and greeting cards to be received and returned. It just all seems to be too much at times. Don't you agree? The commercialism that abounds this time of year can chill the bones and frazzle the nerves. Not to mention what it can do to your wallet or pocketbook! So what to do? How can we take a step back from all this chaos and take a little time for ourselves each day to un-wind and de-stress? Well, I have a few ideas for you and most of them only take a couple of minutes to a half hour or so. My favorite thing to do to chill for a bit each day is to meditate. Put on some peaceful serene music and just sit. Block out the world's noise and rush and stress and just sit. Sit and listen to your body. Listen to the world around you . Listen to the birds and the trees and the wind and mother earth herself and just be one with it all. Let natures sounds and energies take you in a wrap you in her arms and cradle you for a while. Relax and just be. I do this daily in my life, but especially during the winter holidays hustle and bustle. It is a little gift I give myself each day. You should try it.

Another great way to un-wind is a nice soothing warm bath. Run a nice hot bath and add a few drops of lavender essential oil or your favorite soothing herbs in a sachet to the bath water. Let it steep as the water runs into the tub. Light a candle or two, turn off the lights in the bathroom and submerge yourself in the warm water and soak for at least 30 minutes. As you soak, visualize all the stress and worries and bustle of the day flowing out of you and into the water like a big grey sludge. Picture it flowing into the water and getting trapped there so that the only place it has to go is down the drain when you pull the plug and release the water. Know that when you are finished with your soak the worries of the day will be washed away and you will feel renewed and strong once again.

Now here and idea to de-stress on the go. Find a few minutes to stop in your daily grind and grab yourself your favorite drink ( a favorite flavored coffee or hot tea perhaps) and a beloved snack and take the time to sit quietly and enjoy them. Sip your drink slowly and nibble your snack and truly enjoy them. Most of us are so busy during this time of year that we wolf down our food on the run and never actually take the time to enjoy it. Even this can be a way to depressurize during a busy day of shopping and wrapping and decorating.

Do something nice for yourself each and every day, but especially during these bustling times around the winter holidays when everything is rushed and stressed and crazy.

I wish you all the warmest of holidays and hope these little ideas help you to keep your cool and truly enjoy those around you and the activities that you plan on doing this holiday season. Blessed Be and Merry Yule to you all!