Unrealistic expectations are part and parcel of almost every holiday.  The season brings an atmosphere of joy, peace, and hope, mixed with the reality of personal pressures, imperfect relationships and added responsibilities. This combination can form a “perfect storm” of unrealistic expectations.  Left unchecked that storm can turn any celebration sour.

If you’re feeling the holiday pressure, here are some mindful tools...

As we age, we become more aware of not only our increased needs but also those of our parents and aging adults around us. We hear about and often help navigate the doctor appointments, the increased healing time for sickness or an injury, and the decrease in self –sufficiency. Elder adults, whether our parents, or members of our community experience both physical and mental conditions that often require increased care and oversight. There is a need for involvement that often falls on the family and friends that have the time and means to help. One of the most effective means of care for the elderly in need is 24/7 support.

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Kindness, tolerance, integrity, modesty, generosity - these are attributes that events permit us. They are our holiday moods, and we are as proud of them as of the fine clothes we have hung away to wear on occasions.

Ben Hecht

Conversations about mental health continue to be important whether it relates to home life, school, or elsewhere in our communities.  

The workplace is no exception.

And there are several issues that many employees struggle with every day.  Whether it’s stress, bullying, job dissatisfaction, substance abuse, insomnia or burnout, inadequate mental health support leads to higher healthcare costs and absenteeism, costing companies billions of dollars each year. 

In workplaces...

"As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same."     

Donald E. Westlake

IMAGE: Publicdomainpictures.net  

Obtaining a work-life balance can be challenging.  Work demands can impose on lifestyle…and we all know the axiom, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”  It can be hard to maintain a good balance between our identification as trusted employees and all of our outside roles.  Technology has blurred this line even more with society’s instantaneous access to information in any place and...

When I was a child, my December weekends were spent making cards, decorating the tree, hanging the wreath and preparing brandy butter and peppermint creams.

Pippa Middleton

IMAGE:  Publicdomainpictures.net

 

“It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.”

Henry David Thoreau

 

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"We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason." 

Unknown

PublicDomainPictures.net

The holidays can be a very stressful time. We may be busy putting together a family function or rushing to complete assignments due for school and work. Weather takes a change, it’s snowing, and it’s darker earlier. Nerves can get tested. It can be a tough time to take care of ourselves as we burn both ends of the candle rushing from one event to another.  While it may seem impossible, it is even more important during this time to do things to take care of yourself...