How to Heal the Holiday Blues

A few suggestions on how to ease seasonal anxiety/depression (SAD)

Holiday blues are very common this time of year but even more so with this new spike of Covid. Losing loved ones, remembering the holiday traditions you all cherished, and trying to hold it all together while others are basking in the enjoyment of Christmas cheer is one of the hardest roles to play. There is no way to truly heal from the loss of someone dear to you but there are several ways for you to honor their memory and try to steer clear of the dark shadow of depression.

1. Limit your alcohol and caffeine - alcohol is a depressant and caffeine makes you anxious. They lead to mood swings that might deepen your depression

2. Use essential oils - they can be mood lifters and are perfect to help combat the holiday blues

3. Give - giving of yourself and your time can make you feel better. Research shows that giving has similar effects as doubling your income. But make sure you make it a choice, not an obligation.

4. Spend more time outside - sunlight improves our mood. We wake up and go to bed when it is dark. Open windows and blinds when you can.

5. Create rituals - anticipation of something that makes you happy has its own healing powers. Create a daily, weekly, or monthly ritual such as a date night, a vacation or fun day, or even reading a book.

6. Getting well - cut the junk food and pay attention to what you are putting into your body. Fresh veggies and lots of water.

Top Ten Winter Fashion Looks

Here are the Top 10 must haves for this Winter Fashion Season to make your wardrobe go from drab to STYLISH

It has been a while since I’ve been able to blog. Changes in life and love can truly have an affect on your business and ambitions. However, I am resilient and am ready to step back into my purpose…. sharing my love of travel, fashion, and wellness with my followers. So let’s get back at it with TOP TEN TUESDAY!

Our Top Ten for this week will be the ten most needed items for your winter look this season. They range from over-the-top jackets to simple staple pieces that can be layered.

1. Fringe accented tops and jackets

2. Cropped puffer jackets

3. Oversized puffer vests

4. Chunky ski print sweaters

5. Ponchos and capes

6. Double denim

7. Jumpers

8. Faux fur

9. Knit maxi dresses

10. Tartan (plaids)

The Importance of Self-Management Skills

Good morning all. This has been a very trying time for my family. We have experienced great loss and emotional trauma in the last few months. I want to take this time to talk about self-management.

Self management is the ability to take responsibility for one’s behavior and well-being. This is also referred to as self-regulation or self-control. When we go through traumatic events in our lives, there are various outcomes that are seen. The outcomes will vary based on the individual, their trauma, and how they choose to handle things thrown at them unexpectedly. But most importantly, self-management means you understand your personal responsibility in different aspects of your life, and you do what you need to fulfill that responsibility.

Self-management skills are invaluable to the growth and development of your personal and professional life. More often than not, we tend to carry our personal traumas over into our personal and professional relationships. Doing so can damage our self-confidence to be our most authentic self in every aspect of our lives. I have included four skills that can help you in times when you are spiraling and cannot see your way through an emotional or traumatic event.

1. Breathing and Relaxation: Deep breathing exercises are one the first steps to managing your stress. Find a quiet place and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in. Imagine an upside down bowl in your ribcage. Try to fill it up as much as possible and slowly release it through your nose while you count to eight.

2. Emotional Healing: Addressing underlying causes is very important to your self-management. Any current anxiety, worry, or depression is coming from emotional wounds that need to be healed. Start journaling. Seeing your thoughts on paper helps you to identify the source of your stress.

3. Self-Motivation: Be a good friend to yourself. Learn positive affirmations that are unique to your situation. Positive self talks and mastering the skill of mental rehearsals will put you on a path to healthy motivation personalized just for you.

4. Physical Well-being: Relationship with your body and food. Positive vision and new habits. Healthy eating and physical activity are extremely important when it comes to improving the mind and body to its fullest potential.