By Joy Heartsong

The time between Thanksgiving and New Years is the most stressful 6 weeks of the year.  Some say it has to do with the lack of sunshine.  I believe it has to do with familial stress and money.

Joy Heartsong is one of my favorite energy workers and energy movers.  Her Seven Steps to Less Stress will teach you how to move the stress out and the love in.

“‘Tis the season to be jolly…” as one popular carol proclaims. Yet, it’s easy to lose the true spirit of the season with the formidable list of all the preparations and “must do’s” looming before us. The good news is…it’s not too late to add spice to your holidays and ease to your life. Yes, there is still time to keep the “jolly” and release the “folly” in the season.
 
Are you one of those over-achiever types who gets so focused on shopping, wrapping, decorating, signing, baking and cleaning that, almost before you know it, you find yourself feeling stressed, resentful, rushed and maybe a little depressed? If so, take a closer look at what you’re doing to yourself and what you can do to shift this pattern. (By the way, this works for other situations and responsibilities too.)

 
Follow the seven easy steps below.

1. Discover: First, convince yourself that it’s okay to take a few minutes to relax. Trust me. You’ll still get the important things done. Now close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. See a picture in your mind of what you really love about this very special holiday. What is it that makes you feel really good, peaceful and joyful? Where are you? Who is with you?

1. Determine: What is really important and what isn’t? (Hint: You already discovered what makes you feel happy and energized in the first step.) What can you do cheerfully within your timeline? Share with family and friends who will be affected by the changes.
2. Delegate: How can you delegate what you are no longer willing to do or have time to do? How can others help or participate? If it’s important to you, hire someone to do some of the work or trade services.
3. Delete: If it’s something that drains your energy or consumes too much time, you may choose to cross it off your to-do list.
4. Delay: Let go of the need to have everything done now. Some things can wait. Cards can be sent out any time during the year or as a new year’s greeting/update. Redecorating? Chances are your guests won’t care either way. Postponing may work better when you aren’t so busy and can give more attention to the details.
5. Devote: Focus your energy on doing what feels good to you. You may find it’s having more quality time for sharing with your family, engaging in spiritual activities or volunteering to help others in need.
6. Develop: Finally, develop an attitude of gratitude for every gift of life (whether it makes you glad or sad), each person and every experience that comes your way. If you really need to do something that you’d rather not do (like going to work), change your thoughts about it. Consider all the reasons you have for feeling grateful for having this job. Then your greater appreciation helps you feel good about going to work. Develop a sense of being at peace with what is.

 
You have the power to create that sense of feeling good inside…the one that feels like love, peace and joy. Feeling good is not determined by what you say and do; it’s how you feel about what you’re saying and doing that affects your energetic vibration. Use the seven steps above, as often as you choose, to help you shift into a place of feeling more peaceful and loving.
 
Now that you have a way to determine and prioritize what’s important to you, what makes you feel good and what brings you more joy, delight in the choices you’ve made that allow you more time to relax and receive the joys of the season.