Ignite your potential
Many Americans will be looking for jobs in the new year. It is important to not get stressed out, as much as possible and to keep your options open. Persistence and practicing for interview is key.
In this economy, many will be turning towards receiving higher education for better jobs. Know that education is not only through learning in college, but also through job, personal and social experiences.
Eating healthy
Eating healthy does not involve only trying to pick out the vegetables and non-fat products but also evaluating your eating pattern. It is important to understand where you eat, why you eat, when you eat, and who you eat with. Also portions play a huge contributor. Too much of even the healthiest foods are not good. There are delivery diet options such as Nu Kitchen. Or do-it-yourself portion control such as Slimware where you can buy plates that can help guide you to healthy serving sizes.
Here are the top 3 public spark blogs as we ring in the new year
Top 5 places in the US where people have spent their new years eve
With the holiday season 2009 fast approaching, here are some last minute holiday tips taken from blogs written previously:
Short last minute checklist for a Christmas Party
These are 5 more creative gifts that are my favorite.
Recipe Box- Philosophy
Three bottles of Philosophy’s famous shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath formula, in melon smoothie, orchard pear, and raspberry sorbet flavors. This $15 package includes cute and doable recipes, and all proceeds support PBS KIDS and PBS.
Ocean Purifying Body Wash- Red Flower
Made with organic and sustainable ingredients like biodynamic honey, this cools and purifies the skin on contact. A portion of this $20 product goes to benefit The Blue Project, a group working to preserve the coral reefs in the Bahamas.
Every holiday season I try to look for gifts that are creative, within budget, and also can give back. These are some my favorite items that I found this year.
Butterfly Charm Necklace- Satya Jewelry
All proceeds in the gold and silver butterfly collection (codesigned by David and Courteney Arquette) go to the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Foundation. This is a foundation that aims to find a cure for this rare childhood skin disease. The butterfly charm necklace is priced at $38. There are also bracelets and earrings.
Being aware
Keep track of how often you have negative thoughts and at what times do they occur most.
Be active
Exercise and activity can reduce stress, increase well being and attitude.
Depression is not permanent
Know that emotional distress is temporary. If you have prolonged days of sadness (for example that has lasted longer than a month), it is important to consult a doctor and psychiatrist.
Omit “what if’s” and “should have’s”
There is always room for improvement in every area. If we dwell on “what if” or “I should have done something”, it will keep us chronically worried. Instead focus on today and making plan’s for the future.
Talk about it.
Whether to a family member, friend, or therapist, it helps to talk about the holiday blues. It is a common problem that people face. Find out what are the sources or reasons why the holidays are distressful for you. Sometimes churches and community centers offer special programs for people who are alone ore experiencing difficulty. Talking can open the door to self-understanding, validation, and problem solving.
Renew holiday traditions.
Having new holiday traditions can help replace those traditions that have a bad association. Although it will take a few times for the new tradition to feel like a “tradition.” This can help you create realistic expectations and a special time, rather than a dreadful time.
Holiday time can be a joyous time, but for some it can be an emotionally difficult time. This is because holidays can be associated with negative and hurtful experiences. It can also bring up changes associated with children growing up, deaths in the families, or other crises. It is important to be aware symptoms and signs of depression that may come up:
Physical symptoms
People may have difficulty sleeping (insomnia), no appetite, or compulsive eating, muscles can be tense, fatigue, or body aches.
Different Feelings
Feelings range from sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, , agitation, withdrawn, guilty, angry, worthlessness, fear, feelings of loss or misery.
In addition to improving your body language, you can improve your communication skills through the quality of voice, as well as effective listening skills.
It is important to utilize an effective tone of voice:
that is pleasant
with interested intonation
with appropriate loudness
with moderate rate of speech
that is natural and relaxed
that has simple and precise language
fluid in speech
has minimal use of slang
A large part of communication is being able to listen:
that is, focusing on what is being said
