Overcoming the Temptations of the Holiday Season

Overcoming the temptations of overeating, overspending, and under-appreciating during this holiday season can be challenging. When it comes to the holidays, all of these issues tempt us more than usual. However, you’ll be pleased to discover that there are ways of coping with these stressful situations during the holidays.

Here are some ways to help you avoid the temptations so you can start the New Year happy and stress-free:

Overeating

When the holidays roll in, decorative and highly tempting food platters roll out to greet us with tantalizing turkeys, decked out hams, sides, and every dessert imaginable!

You know as well as I do that it’s really hard to pass on the food when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas. In many cases, even New Year’s Eve continues the scrumptious dinners and pastries.

Unless you want to be sporting a new bloat come the New Year, it’s important that you learn to resist the urge to indulge in too many of these foods.

To avoid overeating, try these tips:

1. Avoid the urge to stockpile the food on your plate. Start with small helpings and eat your meal slowly.

2. Have plenty to drink with your meal. In between bites, sip on a glass of ice cold water, low fat milk, or healthy juice. This can help fill you up quickly so you won’t be tempted by second and third helpings.

3. Eat a healthy snack prior to going to a family gathering or holiday party. Munching on fruits, vegetables or yogurt will help fill you up so you won’t be starving at the party.

Overspending

It’s so easy to spend more than you anticipate or can afford during the holidays. It’s important to budget your money appropriately so when the New Year comes along, you’re not burdened with debt.

Remember that you do not have to spend a lot on Christmas gifts! You can buy inexpensive gifts or create wonderful and precious homemade presents. No one wants you to go into debt buying gifts for them! Keep this in mind as you shop so you can limit your spending this holiday season.

These tips will also help you to avoid overspending:

1. Use cash only. Leave your credit cards at home and only spend what you have in your wallet. It’s a wonderful feeling not to have large credit card bills in January!

2. Chip in on a gift with another family member. If you know the perfect gift for dad is out of your budget, ask a sibling to split the cost with you.

3. Make a list and stick to it. Only go into the stores where you know you’ll find your gift items and keep the focus on your list. If you don’t have a need to go to the electronics or clothing section of the store, then stay away.

4. Set a strict budget. Setting a dollar amount for each item can also keep you focused and away from the more expensive gifts.

Under-Appreciation

Once the holiday season begins, it’s quite common to put wish lists together and forget about all the things we already have! Remember to be grateful this holiday season.

* There are many things that we can be grateful for — our job, home, friends, family members, and more! Remember to be appreciative at all times and you’re more likely to enjoy the holiday season.

Christmas isn’t about what you can get or what you didn’t get. It’s a time for sharing and making warm memories together. The attitude that you end this year with is the attitude that you’ll start the New Year with.

* A grateful attitude will bring more things in the New Year for you to be grateful for!

If past holidays brought too much temptation to overeat, overspend, and even to be a little greedy, you can make changes to your holiday season this year to avoid these temptations. The strategies listed in this article can bring you a happier and guilt-free holiday season.

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The Secret Link Between Food and Success

When you want to achieve success, making one change at a time is a technique that brings results. You may be surprised to discover that one of the most beneficial changes you can make towards success is what you eat!

The type of food you eat has an impact on brain function and how you feel overall. For example, the guys over at Google eat sushi for lunch and they’re always coming up with innovative ideas that make our lives easier!

What to Eat

Aside from sushi, what else can you eat to make you more capable of finding success? The secret lies in raw foods — uncooked, natural foods.

* Uncooked foods enable your body to better absorb all of the vitamins and minerals that the food has to offer.

Raw foods also contain enzymes that are very important for normal bodily function. Without these enzymes, a person can be “off” mentally and physically. You simply can’t function right if you’re not getting the proper nutrition.

In addition, it’s difficult coming up with innovative ideas for your success when your body and your brain are starving for essential nutrients. Why make it harder on yourself? The simple solution is to give your body what it needs.

Some of the most important types of raw food to eat are fruits and vegetables. All by themselves, fruits and vegetables provide much of what your body hungers for.

Benefits that you will receive from eating fruits and vegetables include:

* Alertness
* Clear thinking
* Strong focus
* Thinking outside the box
* Ability to find creative and innovative solutions


The most successful and innovative people have many things in common. One of the traits they share is that they feed their brains as well as their body.

Changing your Diet

If your diet leaves something to be desired, you may want to make some changes so that you can take advantage of the benefits that a “success” diet can bring.

Here are some tips to help you make those changes:

1. Make gradual changes. Gradual changes make it easier for your body and mind to incorporate new routines and new choices. As you make the changes, you’ll notice:


* You think differently.
* Your mind stays on the task at hand without deviating too much.
* Your response time to certain situations is quicker than before.

2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have essential vitamins and minerals for your body and your brain.


3. Increase your Omega 3 fatty acids. Eat plenty of foods that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids improve brain function.

Where do you find these important acids?


* In certain types of fish such as salmon, Mahi Mahi, and other varieties
* In ground flaxseed
* In additional foods to which Omega 3 fatty acids have been added. Check your food labels: some foods have added Omega 3s to ensure that people are receiving an adequate supply in their diets.

So start with fruits and vegetables and if you’re not sure which ones you’ll like, buy a little at a time and taste test them. Many people turn their nose up at foods that are healthy for them. To their surprise, they later find that many of them taste good!

The best surprise, though, comes when you notice the difference in how you think, how you feel, and how you are enjoying growing success!

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Present Moment Mindset – Bringing Eastern Philosophy to the West

You may have been advised to spend more time in the “present moment,” but what does this really mean? Present moment thinking has been the concentration of eastern religions for thousands of years.

Religion And Philosophy

Some people are tempted to turn away immediately when Eastern philosophy is brought up just because they think it might threaten their core religious beliefs. There are no religious impositions though; the present moment is available to everyone in every moment no matter who you are. In fact, most religions, in one way or another, agree with the belief of living in the moment, not in the past or future.

Eastern Religions And The Present Moment

There are many different divisions of religion in the East, just like the West. Many of them differ with certain beliefs and philosophies, but many agree on the importance of the present moment.

In recent decades, the West has been picking up on these ancient philosophies and many people use these lessons to help cope with modern problems. It works and it proves that the human condition has always been the same.

The Present Moment Defined

The present moment can be defined as your attention being solely on what you’re doing right now. It’s when you’re not thinking of “other things.” If you’re washing the dishes, your mind is fully aware when you start the faucet, grip the sponge, and wipe the plates clean. There are no other thoughts in your mind other than what it is you’re doing in the moment.

While staying in the present moment may seem boring at times, you’ve probably already felt its true power without really knowing it.

Have you ever been outside enjoying nature and a feeling of peace flooded over you? Have you ever stared up at the sky and stars and contemplated the meaning behind them? The past and future wash away, and the only thing that’s important in that moment is the “now.”

Staying in the Present Moment

The process of staying in the present moment may take some practice. If you try for any length of time to stay fully present, your mind will likely try to bring you out of it. This is because thoughts about the past and future are constantly creeping up.

This can be a source of frustration, but you must fight the urge to judge yourself since that negative emotion would defeat the purpose.

Be aware that your mind will reach for the past and future; yet be ready to let go of those thoughts when they come up. The more you practice remaining present, the easier it’ll become.

Practicing Meditation

Meditation is an art that’s not only reserved for Eastern religions. It’s a method of bringing yourself into the present that’s available to you at all times.

Here are some tips to follow when beginning meditation:

* Choose a time of day when you can relax and be alone.
* Sit in a position that gives you good posture.
* Concentrate on your breathing.
* Take deep breaths in and out and focus only on your breath.
* Try to meditate for at least 30 minutes each day.
* Fight the urge to fall asleep.

You’ll find that you get better at meditation with practice. Don’t give up on yourself! Every session may not feel as good as the last, but it’s important to stick with it.

Meditation will enable you to get to know your mind and body better. You’ll maintain awareness for when your mind is in an agitated state, and you’ll be able to place better focus on fixing your problems and moving toward your goals.

All in all, developing a present moment mindset can bring you more peace and fulfillment in your life. Isn’t that worth a little practice?

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Practicing the Art of Walking Meditation

The art of walking meditation is not as popular as traditional methods of meditation where you sit down in a form of a cross-legged position. However, walking meditation can prove to be more accessible and easier to renew your inspiration and energy.

The Art of Meditation

When you engage in walking meditation, you’ll be using some of the same principles as regular meditative practice.

Here are some tips to use when beginning with meditation:

* Schedule yourself plenty of time, at least 30 minutes to an hour.
* Focus all of your attention on your breath.
* Try to avoid making noise as it may distract you.
* Concentrate solely on the present moment.
* Go with the flow.
* Follow the energy that your mind is giving you.

Introduction To Walking Meditation

Walking meditation differs from regular meditation in a few core ways. The most obvious is the fact that you’re walking instead of staying still. This is beneficial for those who think more clearly when they’re moving around.

Also, when you practice walking meditation, you can eventually engage in meditation as you complete day-to-day tasks. This is useful because you won’t always have enough time for a standard meditation session.

Use these strategies to enhance your experience as you begin walking meditation:

1. Start by standing. Don’t begin walking right away. Stay calm and give yourself time to get into a steady pattern of breathing. Once you’ve achieved this balance, you can begin walking. This stage can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes; just do what feels right for you at the time.

2. Choose your location. Have an idea in mind about where you’re going to walk before you start the practice. If you don’t have a plan in mind beforehand, you may be too distracted thinking about where you’re headed.

* It’s up to you where you want to walk, but choose a place that tends to be calm instead of busy. You can walk in a park and take in nature, or you can even walk in circles in a large empty room.

3. Watch your pace. Your pace will probably vary from session to session, and that’s okay. Try starting out faster than intended, then slow down to a pace that makes you feel balanced and almost like your body is doing the work automatically.

4. End your session. Most sessions last about 30 minutes to an hour. This should be enough time for you to enjoy the meditative practice as well as get some exercise in the process. To end your session, slow down and stand up straight for a few minutes. Focus on your breathing just as you did at the beginning of your session.

Bringing Meditation Into Everyday Tasks

It’s a good idea to master the art of walking meditation before trying to bring your regular meditative practice into your everyday living. Doing so will give you a better idea about what it’s like to meditate while your body is in motion.

While you won’t be able to meditate while you’re talking or engaging in activities that you’re not familiar with, you can start to make it a part of your daily routine, whether it be in the mornings during your commute or during your lunch break.

Watch Your Emotions

Walking meditation and regular meditation have the power to get you in touch with your true emotions. Some people are unsure about what they’re feeling and may end up repressing feelings or acting out in anger. Your emotions will generally rise up during a walking meditation session, which is why it’s a good idea for you to engage in these meditation sessions often.

With continued practice, you’ll find a powerful tool in your life that can calm, refresh, inspire, and motivate you wherever you go!

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Overcoming a Distorted Body Image

If you look to TV, the media, or any form of advertising, chances are you’re viewing unrealistic images of women. Unfortunately, some women feel that, in order to be accepted, they need to have unrealistic weight goals and a distorted body image.

There is no wonder why health issues like anorexia pop up in developed countries. We are told that thinner is better and we might be tempted to take it to the extreme. However, for the majority of women, drastic weight goals are unattainable and severely detrimental to our health.

The Answer to an Unrealistic Body Image

It isn’t always easy, but the answer is to accept ourselves for who we are. When we learn to love ourselves just as we are, we open up to accept love from others. In order to do this we need to change the way we think. There are certain pieces of advice we can use in order to change our previous patterns of thinking.

Here are some tips for overcoming a distorted body image:

1. Understanding Imperfection. Everyone is “imperfect” in some way or another. If you wait until you’re perfect to enjoy your life you’ll never get the chance to enjoy it.

* The ladies from the magazines are imperfect too. Images are touched up and women are made to look thinner, without blemishes.

2. Don’t Talk About It. One of the important steps toward having a better body image is to talk less about the things you find imperfect.

* When you get together with your friends try not to say things like: “I wish I had better thighs” or “if only I had clear skin.”
* This piece of advice also works for your internal dialog. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative things about yourself, stop!

3. Focus on the Good. Spend less time worrying about the things you don’t like, and spend more time focusing on what you do like about your body.

* A woman’s body is an amazing thing. It can create life and nourish children. It should be loved, honored, respected, and appreciated – especially by you!

4. Set Attainable Goals. Of course there are certain imperfections that you can do something about. If this is the case, it’s important to set realistic and attainable goals.

* If you’re overweight, set a weight loss goal that’s within your normal weight range. Don’t overdo it.”
* If you suffer from face blemishes, try different facial soaps and use an acne prevention gel to prevent pimples.

5. Study the Problem. It may help you to gain an awareness of the widespread problem of body image issues in developed countries. Read some books or do additional research online. Just having an understanding can help you change your perspective.

6. Know When to Get Help. Sometimes body image issues will go above and beyond the average problem and manifest itself as a Body Dysmorphic Disorder. If you think you’re imperfect at all times, and you refuse to go out in public unless you have a great deal of time to spend on your appearance, you may have a problem. It can help to speak with a counselor about your thoughts and feelings.

Believe In Yourself

Most people aren’t going to be 100% happy with themselves at all times, and that’s okay. After all, it’s important to question yourself from time to time so you can make positive lifestyle changes.

However, you have to learn to love yourself the way you are. Getting too caught up with your body image can make you miss out on the joys in your life!

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