STRESS

Everyone has it….it’s the extent to which you’re able to handle it that determines how much it will affect your life.  Determine how much of your anxiety is brought on by your own decision making, or scheduling practices.  Could you benefit from de-cluttering your office, from stepping off a committee, from allowing someone else to host the next holiday? 

Here are a few tips to help you keep life more manageable and keep stress off your doorstep:

EXERCISE…this burns off stress related chemicals and releases endorphins into our systems.  Thirty minutes of exercise provides immediate reduction in tension.

SAY NO…..at the very least don’t say yes right away.  We’re so eager to please that we often say yes without thinking .  Always take 24 to 36 hours to think about it before shouldering a new responsibility.  (Obviously this does NOT apply to helping someone in an emergency situation.)

GO SOAK…..take time for yourself in a hot bath, infused with baking soda, epsom salts, or geranium or lavender oils. Or treat yourself to a relaxing massage.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE ONE ABOUT…laughing is thought to increase the various measures of the immune system.  You’ve heard people say “if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry”,  and it’s true as it’s an indicator of your ability to find humor in the ironies of life.  It’s the ultimate coping mechanism.

“THERE COMES A TIME WHEN  YOU HAVE TO PUT YOU AT THE TOP OF YOUR COMMITMENT LIST.”

Marian Wright Edelman

(Sometimes it really IS all about you…or it should be.)

“IF YOU HAVE MADE MISTAKES THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER CHANCE FOR YOU.  YOU MAY HAVE A FRESH START ANY MOMENT YOU CHOOSE.”

Mary Pickford

These are wise words from the famous actress Mary Pickford.  Of course this advice applies to nearly every situation in our lives but at this time of year it especially applies to our health and fitness.  Join another of our favorite actresses to get a fresh start and begin 2012 from a position of strength and determination.  Marilu welcomes you to the site and invites you to please post your questions and share your own tips for success on the message boards. 

We have some wonderful classes planned and hope you’ll consider joining us as we kick off the new  year with the 10 steps of THM.  We’re getting BACK TO BASICS…BECAUSE IT WORKS !!

To all our friends at Marilu.com…please stay safe and celebrate responsibly ! 

BEST OF HEALTH TO EVERYONE IN THE NEW YEAR !!  

(See you in class on January 2nd!)

Tomorrow night we ring in the New Year.   Some of you will celebrate in a big way and others will welcome 2012 in a low key fashion.  Whatever your style, chances are good that at some point most of us will find a glass of sparkling wine in our hand.  That’s not a bad thing! 

Just keep a few facts in mind and you’ll be able to make better choices.  A serving size of “champagne” is considered to be 4 ounces and average 90 calories.   Most flutes hold 6 ounces.   Considering a second glass?  Sure, but chase it with a glass of water and not a cookie and you’ll feel hydrated rather than derailed.

Studies suggest that the equivalent of 2 alcoholic drinks can cause a person to consume up to 30% more calories.  An extra trip to the buffet table isn’t the worst thing you can do under the influence (drive through chapels spring to mind) but knowledge is power.  Just know that those drinks are going to increase you appetite while lowering your inhibitions. Enjoy your celebration but make it about more than the food and drink.  You can live with intention in 2012.  Kick it off responsibly !

We talk a lot about setting up your environment.  This is a good week to think about a few tasks that sometimes fall by the wayside.  Here are some ideas that work well at this time of year:

- Update your address book.    You might want to pick up a new address book for the new year.  A helpful tip is to use a sharp pencil rather than a pen.  When people change their address  you can update it without making a mess of your book. (Be sure to go through your holiday cards and add addresses to the book before you dispose of them.)

- A closet adjustment. You may not have time for a full blown closet makeover but this is a good time to lay out all the winter sweaters.  Some will need a trip to the dry cleaner and others might need to be donated.  If you haven’t worn something in the past year be sure to wear it one day this week.  If it feels like a “find” then add it back to the rotation.  If it makes you remember why you stopped wearing it then donate it where it will be appreciated.

- Recycle holiday cards. Go through the cards and decide which ones you will keep. (Handwritten notes from good friends, elderly relatives etc.) A pair of blunt scissors and a housebound child can turn the rest into next year’s gift tags.

- Next year’s to-do list.  Was there something that came up over the holidays that caught you off guard?  Teacher’s gifts? Drop in guests? Take out your 2012 calendar and make some notes in the margins.  Next year you’ll feel proud of yourself when you aren’t scrambling to find a gift for the groomer at the last minute and you have a freezer ready with hors doeuvres for a last minute get together.

- Make a nasty weather check list. For those who live in more extreme climates prepare your home and cars BEFORE a storm is predicted.  A shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlight and a warm blanket should all be in your car.  At home be sure you have a shovel for your walkway and driveway along with salt and sand or kitty litter. Be prepared with gas for your snowblower and flashlights or rechargeable lanterns for your home.  Once a storm is predicted the stores will have a run on most of those items. 

- Blues chaser.  If the winter months get you down plan something now that you know you’ll enjoy.  Having something to look forward to will keep your mind busy and your spirits up, especially if it involves activity on your part.  Planning a trip or a get together will keep you occupied and make the winter pass more quickly.  Treating yourself to a concert or show will give you a bright spot to break up the long wait for spring. And trying a new winter sport might give you a new appreciation for the season

Even if your holiday season is low key most of us are living in communities that are not.  A trip to the gym or the grocery store can find you stuck in a traffic jam.  A check out line can snake around the store and, sadly, patience might be at a premium. 

Allow extra time for anything you need to do and add an item to your to-do list: TIME FOR YOURSELF.    Time at the gym? Don’t just try to get there…make an appointment with yourself.  Put it on the calendar and plan your day accordingly. Think of what you need to do to feel centered.  A half hour with a cup of tea and a book.  A walk with your dog.  A visit with a friend. Creative pursuits.  Painting. Playing an instrument. Sex. 

Giving yourself a “time-out” can re-charge your battery and make the rest of your day go more smoothly.

“THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HEALTHY HOLIDAYS ARE ULTIMATELY THE MOST SATISFYING AND REWARDING HOLIDAYS.”

Marilu Henner, Healthy Holidays

(We hope you’ll stay connected through the remainder of the month.  There’s nothing like community to keep us focused on our goals.)

Today will rival Black Friday when it comes to traffic, crowds and shopping insanity.  If you’re going to be out in the crowds today try to build some margins into your day to keep it manageable.

- Allow for traffic.  If you know that the roads are going to be busy then allow for it and don’t let your impatience get the better of you. Bring along some favorite music or audio books.  Better yet bring a friend.

- Park far from the entrance (you might not have a choice anyway) so that you can get more steps into the day.

- Plan time for a cup of tea or lunch with a friend.  Give yourself a “time-out.”

- Look into direct shipping.  Many stores will wrap and ship (for a fee) anything you buy.  Even if it’s going to the same destination as you it might be worth taking some of the weight off your own shoulders.  It’s okay if the package arrives at your uncle’s house the day before you do. 

- Skip it !  That’s right.  Think about staying right where you are now and checking out a few websites.  Try Amazon.com, Woot.com, Living Social and Daily Deals.  Some of these sites offer amazing discounts.  You can use Pricegrabber to comparison shop.  You might pay more to have things shipped in time but weigh it against the cost of being out for the day, gas money and wrapping paper. 

- Give the gift of health.  Think about a gym membership or a gift card at your local health food store. You don’t need to brave the mall for these.  Better yet you can purchase a gift membership right here at Marilu.com and have a friend join you for 2012.

If some of these ideas free up your Saturday then put the time to good use.  You might get in a work out, a game with your kids, catch up on your e-mails or organize a closet.

Visit us on the boards and tell us what you did with the extra hours.

A healthy lifestyle can be simple AND affordable.  So should your gift giving.  This article suggests some great gifts for the health enthusiast on your list.   We aren’t endorsing all of these products ( two of them are food items so the responsibility falls on you to read labels and choose the healthiest versions of that type of product) but there are some great ideas for you to check out.

This list might spark ideas of your own so please visit us on the boards and share your thoughts.

One more item that isn’t on the list?  MEMBERSHIP AT MARILU.COM ! 

If you’re already a member we have a special offer for you.  Gift a new membership to a friend at the renewal rate. 

If you’re interested in membership for the first time contact us for special group rates.  You (and your friends) can join Marilu’s new class, beginning January 2nd, and get a strong start in the New Year !

Curious about classes here?  Beginning Monday we’re offering a free class on the message boards.  Join Marilu and Coach Jan for 5 days of keeping it simple and staying healthy through the hectic holiday season.