Chipper Tips for Happy Holidays
The holidays are just around the corner and so is the stress of planning activities with friends, keeping kids entertained or “mindful” at gatherings, and managing expenses.
Chipper has a few quick tips as you approach the holidays: playful yet disciplined to help create boundaries for yourself and those around you.
1. It’s not “No” it’s “not Now” – Don’t give in to yourself or child as it pertains to food, activities, or purchases but help set up a goal-oriented mindset. Establish the goal, write it down, work for it, and then reward. It becomes a game and everyone can celebrate the win – be it a sweet, ski outing, or outfit/toy. Do this together with your child so they understand there are things that you want and need to work for as well.
2. I’m Chipper for… – We all say “I’m thankful” at Thanksgiving but adopt this phrase and fill in the blank everyday with yourself or child. Research shows by focusing on what makes you happy you can improve your physical and mental health. The Mayo Clinic offers extensive research on the matter – but just try it for yourself. Identify something immediately in front of you to be happy about – I’m Chipper for skipping, bumping into a friend, the penny I found, or the sunshine coming through the clouds. You can change your mindset and the effect is longer-lasting.
3. Being prepared – How many times have you said “you wish you would have been better prepared”? Adopt this exercise – get what you need done out of your head, off of your Blackberry, and on to a pad that sits right with your keys or someplace accessible. Is it dry cleaning for you? Snack pack for your child? Whatever it is, just write it down and put it in a place where you can see it immediately. Sound familiar? Maybe something you saw your own parent do when you were a child? It works. Get it out of your head so you can just get it done.
Three tips but one final thought: Simplify! Let go and be okay with everything just the way it is this year. Embrace it actually and feel lucky for where you are right now, and set goals for where you want to be in the New Year. Let’s Go Chipper!
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