Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Hippo has tried a couple of other methods but finds this one very successful for giving her a boost to get into the "Christmas Spirit"
1.  Shop early,  and at the same time you could wish people Merry Christmas with a smile.
2.  Donate to your favourite charity
3.  Do some kind gesture for a friend ( eg.bake cookies) or
    (wee visit to a shut-in)
4.  Play Christmas music
5.  Volunteer a day or two during the holiday season
6.  Read a Christmas story
7.  Do not overspend
8.  Decorate even a wee bit
9.  watch a Christmas movie or two
10.Begin some new Christmas tradition ( your own Idea) never too late- If you aren't going to family for        
     Christmas day then arrange with a friend to go out for brunch or dinner. Enjoy!

Christmas spirit is about kindness and love,not about shopping and how much you spend....

Happiness is free..

How many of you dwell on the negative? Why? Learn to appreciate the little things in life. Just before bed time, try and think of 5 positive results during your day. Write them down in a journal (notebook)also record why they were happy or positive situations. Now enjoy this little project. Don't forget to hang out with positive folks. Negative types will pull you down. Listen to others and their stories along each day. Be supportive !
I hope everyone who is celebrating Christmas has used this weekend to it's fullest for some of your preparations. I bet they, the elves of course are working frantically at the north pole.

Bad Mood Days...

Everyone feels down and depressed sometimes. Learn how to keep yourself happy.
Talk to friends or parents and tell them how you feel. You will be surprised how this will make you feel somewhat relieved.
Do something you like to do-Read, listen to music, exercise.
Hang out with people that you enjoy.
Keep a journal and write your best memories, achievements, and successes in it. When you feel down down try and read it.
Create a mood chart and try and and figure out what puts you into the bad mood on these certain days. Good Luck !

Excellent reason to exercise your brain...

Hippo offers these suggestions for your brain exercises:
Some good brain exercises are a person going to the museum or the theatre, listening to music or a musical concert. Reading is also excellent for the brain and most stimulating activities. It will help reduce the risk of Alzheimers disease or the risk of mild cognitive impairment. This information is backed up by a study
that has been carrying out  trials and now has results. So please exercise your brain as the impact of loss will definitely affect you and your  family's  quality of life.

Music is good for the brain... and soul

Classical music or rock and roll or jazz is good for the soul. Music therapy is a frequently used tool for acquired brain injuries. Cognitive therapists use music for cognitive  remediation.(the action of remedying something). This is a process that is used frequently by therapists. Music provides rhythmic stimulation, and singing along is good for the speech. Listening to music can assist in distraction from pain and calming music for contributing to well being. The musical memory seems to be very resilient making it the form of memory that is most effervescent of all of the memories.

Enjoy some festive laughter !

Laughter has many benefits so use it in order to reduce the holiday stress.

1. Laughter relaxes the whole body and removes physical  and emotional tension and stress.

2. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins
(natural feel good chemical) so you have over all sense of well being.

3. Laughter increases immune system thus reducing stress hormones.

4. Laughter protects heart due to increased blood flow so it assists  with cardiovascular system.

    Make an effort over the hectic season to laugh and or see some humour in some situations.

Are you feeling stressed with the holiday season beginning?

Hippo has a few tips for you to reduce stress:

1. Take a walk
2. Try meditation
3. Take a nap
4. Learn how and when to say no to someone demanding of your time.
5. Keep a diary
6. Listen to music and try and relax
7. Cut down on your commitments
8. Laugh and enjoy

Try some of these tips-I bet that they will help you.