3 Simple Ways to Stay Merry and Survive the Holidays

No matter what holidays you celebrate during the festive season, chances are you're dealing with 1 or more of the following:

More people than usual
More events than usual
More entertaining than usual
More calories than usual
More stress than usual

Here are 3 simple ways to keep stress at bay so you can stay merry and full of cheer, even when the relatives you love better frin a distance come calling

Breathe from your belly

When you're stressed, the first thing that typically happens is you start stress-breathing. Your shoulders become earrings, and you feel the pinch.

Aunt Bessie comes in with that slobbery smooch that drives you NUTS every single year, Uncle Joe starts in on politics at dinner, or the kids play like a band of hooligans, and you can feel your guts clench.

The simple answer is to breathe slowly and deeply. Practice while  you're calm and remind yourself to let your belly rise and fall in nourishing, comfortable waves, even when life gets crazy.

Try it:  Breathe in for 4 counts and out for 6 or 8. Remind yourself to breathe this way when the going gets tough. You'll feel so much more calm and hopeful.

Sing!

Nothing lifts your spirits like singing! it's not about perfection or being Beyoncé. Chef Andy LoRusso, the Singing Chef, has been teaching people to sing while cooking for years. It do it all the time. It's fun.

Try it: Whether it's in the shower, while making cookies, or to distract yourself from family drama, just turn up the tunes and start singing.

Count Your Blessings

Even when there's drama, hte roast is too dry, and the rels are dancing on your last nerve, you have much for which to be grateful.  Think of 5 great things in your life, one for each finger on 1 hand, and see if that starts you on a "Rampage of Appreciation" that shifts everything for you.

Try it: It's easier to deeply experience gratitude when you make this a daily practice.

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Cheers to your #BlissfulLife!

Ronda Del Boccio

Award winning author, photographer and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda's books on Amazon.

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