Trying to Be Christmassy 🎄 Day 12 of 13

Happy Monday and welcome to Day 12 of our Trying to Be Christmassy series.  We're nearing the end of this series and the beginning of Christmas.  If you haven't had a chance to do the practices in this series, you can always revisit them when time permits.  Perhaps you can do it as your version of the 12 13 Days of Christmas.

Inspiring Quote: "Find joy in the simple things."

Holiday Song: "My Favorite Things"

Holiday Activity: Take a photo capturing a favorite holiday moment, item, outfit or view.

Reflection Tip: Reflect on your favorite holiday foods or activities. If relevant, is there a way that you can make those foods or activities healthier?  Also, if you're going to indulge during the holidays how can you do so mindfully and with appreciation for the experience?

Creative Writing Exercise:  Make a list of your favorite ways to enjoy the holidays and/or to take care of yourself during the winter season.

Affirmations:

I appreciate the beauty of simple joys.

I am present and mindful in each moment.

I nourish my body and mind with healthy choices.

What were your 3 favorite moments from today?  

Trying to Be Christmassy 🎄 Day 10 of 13

Greeting to you all and welcome to Day 10 of our series.  There are only 4 days left until Christmas so I hope that you all are progressing well with your holiday responsibilities, as well as, decompressing as needed.  While yesterday we reflected on holiday traditions, today we're going to focus on something which can be easily shortchanged during the holidays: physical health.  Below are today's song and the activities for today.  

Inspiring Quote: "Investing in your health is the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season."

Inspiring Holiday Song: "Jingle Bell Rock" 

Holiday Activity: Create a festive playlist or enjoy the TTBC playlist and dance to your favorite holiday tunes.  (See also videos below.)

Reflection Tip: Reflect on how you can get more movement or exercise in during the holidays.  Why is it important for you to exercise especially during the holiday season?

Creative Writing Exercise:  Describe a healthier and calmer version of yourself at the end of the holiday season.    

Affirmations:
I am filled with joy and vibrant health.

Daily, my health is improving.

I am gratefully prioritizing my health this holiday season.

What's one thing that you will do to boost your health this holiday season?  *If relevant, be sure to schedule the activity and to create a reminder.  

Bonus videos:

Air Patrol

He lives most life whoever breathes most air.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

As single women, it's easy for our energy levels to tank with the various activities in our life:  work/running a business, running errands, managing our home environments, maintaining our health, balancing our relationships, keeping our commitments.  If you're feeling overloaded with too much to do and your energy is low, have you considered that it could be from an inadequate intake of fresh air?  While it's true that exercise, food and stress affect our energy levels, it's also true that the amount and quality of air that we're breathing also affects our well-being.*

In wintertime, it's especially easy for us to receive low amounts of fresh air.  Few of us want to go outside when it's cold, right?  With the colder weather, we're more inclined to stay indoors and turn on our heating appliances. 

The effect of time spent indoors is that, obviously, we receive less fresh air.  Our homes, as welcome as they are during the colder season, also can exude a variety of toxins due to cleaning products, air fresheners, home furnishing chemicals, fumes from cooking and beauty/hair products. 

By keeping our windows shut during the winter season or by reducing our outdoor activities, we're more likely to receive low quality air.  If your thinking and energy levels are sluggish,  then you may want to consider boosting your oxygen intake. 

Here are some suggestions on getting some fresh air during the winter season:

1.  At the start or end of the day, open your windows for a few minutes to let some fresh air in.

2.  If possible, keep windows in the kitchen and bathroom slightly open.

3.  During your lunch breaks...and if the weather permits...take a brief walk.

4.  Exercise outdoors.  Be sure to dress appropriately and if it's insanely cold then please bypass this tip.

5.  From time-to-time, check in to see how you're breathing.  If you're taking low shallow breaths, that could be a sign of stress and also of poor air quality.

6.  Practice deep breathing.  At the start or end of the day, take 3 deep breaths by inhaling each for 5 seconds, holding for 5 and exhaling for 5 seconds.


Be sure to check in with your breathing as a way to stay healthy and increase your mental clarity.  With our attention on food and exercise as a way to stay healthy, it's easy to overlook the impact that air quality has on us. 

Now that you've read this entry, what will you do to ensure that you're getting sufficient fresh air?  Feel free to post a comment or question below.

*As always, if you have health issues be sure to consult with a medical professional before your practice a deep breathing program or if you've been plagued with energy issues.