Surviving the holidays...

My Early Childhood & Family Education (ECFE) teacher passed along a handout with simple, but wise tips called "Survival Skills for the Holidays for Young Families." I'm not sure where the tips come from, but I thought you might benefit from me sharing a few of them—especially as you start boarding planes to leave town or begin welcoming family visitors.

• Be in charge of your holiday season. Don't let other people or advertising medium impose their expectations on you. Keep in touch with your deepest feelings.

• Keep it simple. You arrange the pace and space. (So important for keeping your kids sane, too!)

• If the loss of a loved one, financial troubles, or any serious anxiety surround you this holiday, make the season as simple and as positive as possible for yourself.

And this part I really loved!

Holiday Bill of Rights:

• You have the right to take care of yourself: eat right, exercise, and get enough rest.

• You have the right to mixed emotions: happy, sad, frustrated, guilty, afraid, and thankful.

• You have the right to solitude—for planning, thinking, reflection, introspection, prayer, and relaxation.

• You have the right not to accept party or dinner invitations.

So curl up with a warm blanket, a cup of tea, breathe a loud ahhhh, and let any holiday stress simply melt away...

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

Holiday stress— be gone!

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the holiday shopping, travel, meal planning, managing of the in-laws, present delivering, party going, and so on? Though all these things are in the name of F-U-N and celebration, that doesn't mean we're necessarily relaxed at the end of the day.

If that sounds familiar, check out these holiday stress-reduction secrets in Women's Health magazine. According to the story, drinking black tea can help lower your cortisol (stress hormone) levels, while pressing a simple acupressure point can relieve tension. For more tips, read the full story.

You know what else can help relieve holiday stress? A massage at Blooma! Call to book an appointment with any of our bodywork therapists, or to purchase a gift card for a loved one. (And yes, we cater to men, and women who are not pregnant, too.) You can also book appointments online by clicking here, then clicking on the "Wellness Appts" tab in the upper right. You deserve to be pampered during the holidays and all year long!

Love,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma