HOW DO I ACCESS EAP? To make a confidenal appointment via telephone, face to face, video or e-counselling NZ 0800 327 669 www.eapservices.co.nz AU 1800 726 474 Intl +64 9 353 0906 2016 e-FLYER No:20 How to thrive not just survive the holiday season There’s just so much to do... last minute shopping for giſts and food, decorang the home, figuring out money strategies and on and on. It’s enough to make you want to take a break! Here are some ps for geng through the holidays. Think ahead Whatever it is about the holidays that’s got you out of sorts, imagine whether that same concern will be bothering you down the road. No maer what it is, you probably won’t even recall the anxious emoons in one or ten years’ me. This helps you build a cushion against mounng anxiety and creates a lile space you can use to safely navigate the holidays this year. Go small Instead of focusing on bigger and larger, make a conscious effort to down-size, including the number of giſts you buy. Aſter all, it isn’t... or shouldn’t be... how expensive or exclusive something is. Concentrate on giving from the heart. Stop feeling you must be perfect It doesn’t have to be the party of the year. You don’t need to be the host whose event is talked about for months to come. If you can make yourself believe that you don’t have to be perfect, you’ll alleviate a lot of stress and accumulated tension. Your digeson will likely benefit as well, since your stomach won’t be ed up in knots over trying to insist on perfecon. Watch your diet Overindulging in food or drink during the holidays is a sure-fire way to suffer repercussions later. Not only will you feel remorse, you may have other consequences as a result. By paying mindful aenon to what you put into your mouth, you’ll be doing yourself a huge favour, now and later. To thrive during the holiday season, exercise discreon and make wise choices in food and drink. Create something lasng If you’ve lost a loved one and the holidays are too painful, consider creang something lasng for the remaining family members and loved ones in your life. This could be a family scrapbook, a handwrien leer you put in a “me capsule” or even surprising your neighbour with a home-cooked meal. Remember that it’s the thought that counts. If you give something of yourself with love, it will be remembered and appreciated. You’ll also have a warm spot in your heart knowing you’ve helped bring a lile joy to others who need it at this me of the year. Go away This isn’t a recommendaon to tell people to leave you alone. It is, however, a suggeson to incorporate something new into the holiday schedule. Instead of going all-out decorang the house, why not consider going out of town for the celebraon? A family trip would be a wonderful memory and offer a much-needed change of scenery for all involved. Even an out-of-town camping holiday or vising friends or relaves will get you in the frame of mind of going aſter something new, something different, a place that’s away. Perhaps going away is just what the doctor ordered to thrive this holiday season. Forgive yourself Everyone has regrets. You likely have some as well. If you’re beang yourself up for being inconsiderate, not living up to your word, being rude or impaent or mean to others, spending too much money, neglecng your responsibilies, or drinking too much, now is the me for a lile self-forgiveness. Your desire to make posive changes actually begins with forgiving yourself. There’s no beer me of the year to start than right now. Be grateful Finally, this is the season to be thankful. And you’ve got a lot to be grateful for, regardless of how much you’ve thought about it. You’re alive, for one thing. Life is precious indeed. Every day you are on this earth is another opportunity to make a difference, to celebrate life and the deliciousness of living. It won’t come by this way again, so make the most of today. Adopt an atude of gratude and you’ll really begin to thrive this holiday season.