Click of the Wrist – Stressed Out

Stress during the holidays: It’s become such a stereotypical theme that the joke almost writes itself. But it truly doesn’t have to be that way. This week’s links focus on ways to keep balanced this season. Here’s to a healthier, happier, holiday!

Look Around You

According to the art of Feng Shui, our surroundings can affect the way we think, feel, and react. This article gives some suggestions for improving your mood by using principles of the ancient art.

Family Ties

Family: according to those Hallmark Christmas specials, It’s one of the best parts of the holidays. For some, though, those tense family gatherings can be dreaded experiences. Whether It’s awkward separations, old squabbles, new family members, or substance abusers in the family, certain tricky situations certainly can dampen the holiday spirit. In this downloadable audio interview, counsellor and family therapist Judy Osborne gives tips for dealing with family tensions (a condensed print version is also available).

Inner Self

Weight gain and crankiness aren’t the only results of too much pre-holiday partying and stress; excesses can negatively affect your hormones, too (leading to further stress and weight gain). This Chatelaine article offers tips to help readers keep all that internal biology in balance.

Giving Tree

We all know It’s the season for giving, and that It’s only through generosity that we attain that elusive Christmas spirit. This blogger takes it a step further?she suggests that generosity can’t, and shouldn’t, be limited to donating or gifting money or things. Sometimes, she says, a smile or attention is the best thing we can give.