Countdown to 2014

Twenty-eight days to go. For many, there’s holiday joy and madness. Cards. Presents. Visits. Extra-great food.

Here are some resources to help you get through…

12-03 Los Alamitos & 85

Calm That Stress

Try the calm.com app for the benefits of guided relaxation. Plug in your headset and tune out for a few minutes. For iPhone or iPad, this free app provides guided or unguided support, along with nature scenes and sounds. You can set the time for 2, 5, 10, or 20 minutes. And, if you want help with what to do, there are short, easy sessions with instructions to get you started.

Take a Walk (Run, Bike…)

Start your “get healthy” New Year’s resolutions early, and find time to exercise. One easy way is to take walks. Take your exercise in a park or a wooded neighborhood—even better. This will help to counteract both stress and all that holiday food.

Consider Giving

It turns out that giving is good for us. It improves happiness, health, cooperation, social connection, and a sense of gratitude. Plus, it’s contagious. As we give, we inspire others to give, too. There’s #GivingTuesday, Advent Conspiracy, and so many ways to give a hand.

Finish Up Those Odds and Ends

Now, I always have more things on my lists than there is time to do them. Some of them are things I may do… someday (someday/maybe).

BUT, like me, you may have certain things that you don’t really want to carry into the new year.

Here’s an easy fix: make a special list of Things to Do Before the New Year. Schedule. Do. Check off. Twenty-eight days and counting.

Looking Ahead

December is a great time to reflect back on this year and to look ahead to the new one. For me, the time between Christmas and New Year’s is often pretty quiet, so I usually update my life plan and goals for the next year then.

I’d love to hear about what you do to round out the year or to get ready for the new one.