CityView Magazine

Peace BY KELLY TWEDELL AND Joy I Tip #1 — Find rest when you can "Use each red light while in your car to let your mind rest," suggested Hardy. "Then, stop and move your head around and side to side and rolling your shoulders while taking a deep breath." Tip #2 — Maximize your time "We put ourselves in physical stress when we choose to put too much on our plates," said Hardy. "Minimize the trips when you are out. During this busy time of year, it's okay to ask your friends and family members for help. Share the load the best that you can. Make things family events and use it as a time for connection instead of the stress of adding one more thing, such as finding a babysitter." Hardy added that it's important to allow yourself enough time to accomplish your tasks, like shopping for groceries. "You know it's going to be busier, so give yourself an extra 15 minutes so you are not stressed." 34 | Food & Wine • 2011 Eight tips for a stress-free holiday season t's the most wonderful time of the year, so why do you feel so worn down? The truth is, the holidays can be hurried and harried, with to-do lists longer than our arms and time (and money) that disappears faster than it comes. We overextend ourselves and try to cram too much into an all-too-brief holiday season. The experts at Breathing Space, Yoga Instructor Lisa Lofthouse and Chiropractor Dr. Carol Hardy, weighed in to provide CityView readers with helpful advice to survive the chaos and enjoy the season. Tip #3 — Be yourself "The holidays are a time when we find we are trying to be something that we are not," Loſthouse said. "Trying to fit ourselves into a mold – your house has to look a certain way, you have to dress up instead of just being yourself." She continued, saying, "While it's fun to have the parties, do everything in moderation. If you make too many prom- ises, you need to be honest, make decisions to pick and choose what you can do." Tip #4 — Just breathe . . . and stretch "Your breath is your greatest teacher," explained Loſt- house. "When you get rushed you breathe in your upper chest, causing your shoulders and neck to tighten, but if you take one conscious letting-go breath, like a sigh, it allows your shoulders to drop. Breathe deep and relaxed." Hardy suggested spending 10 minutes each day stretching at home and five minutes of quiet before you go to sleep at health

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