14 Ways to Stay Sane for the Holiday Season.

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1. Don’t Over-Commit. Many people over-commit, try to please everyone, rush around and do too much. Sort of like too much total load. So decrease your load and enjoy the fewer commitments you make.
2. Stay Present or Be in the Moment. The more you are in the moment with awareness, the less you are caught up in the mind and all the things you still have to do or haven’t done yet. Be aware of your breathing. If it becomes short and shallow, you know you are getting anxious. Stop what you are doing and take a breathing break. You will enjoy the time much more.
3. Take Breathing Breaks. Whenever you get a chance, take breathing breaks….not only when you feel yourself getting anxious. Make the time for them, even if it is only 5 minutes at a time, it will re-invigorate you. You can do it anywhere, just find a quiet spot. It will get you back into the present and out of your head and will help you let go of worries and tension.
4. Do some Restorative Yoga. When you get home in the evening, do a restorative yoga
   pose for 15 minutes to rejuvenate you. Or do a restorative yoga pose if you feel the need
   during the day to help recharge your energy It really does restore you.
5. Use those Tennis Balls. After running around all day, do the ultimate foot massage and feel the relief in your feet.
6. Move. Try walking as much as you can. Take your dog for a walk. Take a walk with a
   family member or friend and combine walking with connecting. If the weather prevents walking outdoors combine a Christmas shopping trip with your exercise. Indoor malls are great places to walk. Get there early before the crowds get too heavy. If you are driving to a store, park at the opposite end of the parking lot to walk to the store. And when you are home, if you are up to it, turn the music up and dance.
7. Have your Smoothie in the Morning. The more you fill yourself with good nutrients in the morning, with good protein, fat and phytonutrients, the less space and craving you will have for the junk food
8. Fill up with Vegetables. If you are at a party with a lot of tempting food, try to start with healthy vegetables and salads. These will fill you up and reduce the temptation to over-indulge on the junk. Just a taste of your holiday favorites should satisfy your taste buds. The worst thing you can do is start your meal or eating with the sugary snacks or junk food.
9. Don’t Overindulge. Alcohol in moderation, cake and cookies in moderation, sweets in moderation
10. Be Thankful. It is always good to put things in perspective and realize how lucky you are that your basic needs are being met and that you are actually able to celebrate the way you can. Add up all the things that you are grateful for, for instance, family, friends, loved ones, the fact that you can celebrate etc….it will put you in a good mood.
11. Get Good Sleep. Holiday celebrations can often disrupt regular sleep patterns. Try to get to sleep at the same time every night. Avoid heavy foods, sugary sweets and alcohol before bedtime as these can disturb your sleep.
12. Have Fun, Laugh, Commit to Enjoying the Holidays.
13. Give in a Way that Gives you Joy instead of out of Obligation.
    
14. Practice Ubuntu, which is a Xhosa concept that means “I am because you are”. As
    Bishop Tutu says “my humanity is caught up in your humanity, and when your humanity
    is enhanced mine is enhanced as well”