Lighten up My message to you today -- with only two “shopping days” till Christmas -- is to resist! Resist the pressure to spend more money than you have. To compete with relatives to get bigger and better presents for the rest of the family. To overeat yourself into oblivion and sit in front of the TV for hours on end. To make yourself sick with stress trying to live up to everyone’s expectations of a happy holiday. Basically resist letting what should be the merriest time of year turn into a frantic, stressful, and even depressing hassle. No matter what your religious beliefs are, turning this season into a reaffirmation of hope will do you good. Spend time with children and see the magic of the season through their eyes. Visit with people you know who are much older than you, and who are perhaps less mobile and provide them with some light-hearted company and conversation. Give more than you get. And relax way more than you would at other times of the year. Allowing yourself a slower pace might actually induce those elusive feelings of joy that might be escaping you in the shopping mall madness. It may be hackneyed to say that it is these little things that will make a difference in how you feel this holiday season. But I’ll run the risk of sounding trite -- if you’ll do yourself these small favors. Enjoy the holidays, enjoy your family and friends, and above all, enjoy YOURSELF. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season, Amanda Ross Managing Editor Nutrition & Healing | 
