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5 Fundamentals to Enhance Your Holiday Traditions


By Karen Rae, Founder of Balanced Life by Karen Rae® and Creator of The Signature Balanced Life Planner®


Traditions are an important way to stay connected to your loved ones, feel a sense of security and keep balance in your life. I have found that when you devote time and energy to the five fundamental areas of your life - faith, family, finances, fitness, and friendships, you’ll experience success in new ways; you’ll have more fruitful relationships, gain confidence in yourself and begin to walk in your purpose. Here’s how you can incorporate the 5 “F”s into your holiday traditions this December!

Faith

Spread love by lifting the spirits of those who may not see a reason to celebrate this year. Together as a family, serve meals to families in your community, visit a nursing home or send baskets for food pantries. Be sure that your children know you don't do this to earn favor but out of the goodness of your heart.

Family

Traditions are a great way to make Christmas more meaningful for your family. They don’t have to be complicated, and there are plenty of simple holiday traditions for you to share quality time with your loved ones. Here are a few ideas:

  • Bake cookies and share them with your family, neighbors and friends.

  • Decorate your Christmas tree together.

  • Go out caroling or sing Christmas carols at home.

  • Sleep around the Christmas tree together one night.

  • Make a gingerbread house.

  • At night, drive around your town and enjoy the Christmas lights.


Finance

Financial stress can steal the cheer and joy from the holiday season. It might start small but result in stress or depression when the holidays are over. However, there are ways to prevent this stress and enjoy your holidays.


As you sip your special holiday latte, take the time to get prepared for this holiday season. Be mindful about it - stay present, breathe and reflect - and most of all, spread cheer and joy. The holiday season quickly goes by, and sometimes we can forget to care for ourselves. Since financial stress won't be the only stress you can experience during the holidays, remember to be kind to yourself. Take 10-15 minutes daily to do one mindful activity. A quick one is to wrap your arms around yourself, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and hug yourself!


Fitness

Invite family members to join along for a run, walk or another workout. They may also be planning to do it but need someone else to go first. Also, typically inactive family members might feel more inspired to be active following your example. If you have children, organize a game of tag, football, or hide-and-seek. Even chasing a toddler around the house can get your heart rate up. Throw in a few planks while playing on the floor and you can get a full-body workout.


Friends

If you’re having a hard time planning all you want to do with your friends this season, why not make a list? Writing it down will give you something to look forward to and plan. Put things on it that are relatively easy to pull off and low-stress, and include some things that could require more money, time and energy for those days when you feel like you are up for anything.


Here are a few things you can include:

  • Have a holiday movie night.

  • Go ice skating.

  • Volunteer at a local organization.

  • Bake cookies or other holiday treats.

  • Take pictures with Santa.

  • Throw a virtual ugly sweater party.

  • Play in the snow.



Karen Rae is a lifestyle expert, personal development coach, and Mompreneur based out of St. Petersburg, FL. She’s been featured in Authority Magazine, The Hollywood Times, ABC Live Action News, and on BLOOM, Tampa Bay’s only daily 1-hour TV show focusing on health & lifestyle.

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