We’re fast approaching the holiday season.  That wonderful time of year when we are expected to put on our happy faces, warmly greet relatives we haven’t seen in a year, share the intimate details of our insecure job (if we’re luck enough to have one), make up stories to make our average, directionless kids sound like overachieving rocket scientists in-training, prepare and eat gorgeous spreads with calorie counts that would make “The Biggest Loser” contestants cringe even before they went to the Ranch.  We’re supposed to decorate, shop, cook, entertain, work our day jobs, raise our kids, walk our dogs, clean our houses AND, we’re supposed to keep a smile on our faces and a song in our hearts.  Oh Hallmark, what have you done to us?

At this time of year, in the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, it’s no wonder that many of us experience considerable stress.  Expectations are high, the pace is frantic, family dynamics are operating as if on steroids.  The season is ’supposed’ to be full of togetherness, celebration and joy but instead it is rife with short fuses, frustration, pressure and regret.  Regret that we aren’t the Walton’s (think John Boy) living the loving, fairy tale holiday depicted on TV, but instead, we are letting the stress get to us. And what we really,really want is to have a wonderful, joyous, loving, fun holiday season.  Really!  Really!  Really!

New Leaf Touchstone Bracelets can help you feel less stress!

A good friend of mine bought a New Leaf Touchstone bracelet last year. She has an outrageously busy life complete with a high level, high stress job requiring lots of travel, an ailing, elderly mother, a wonderful husband who also works long hours, a 3 ½ year old daughter and a slight bent toward perfectionism. I asked her to do an experiment with one of my bracelets during the 6 weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. I asked her use it to help manage her stress during that time.

Here’s what she reported, as we sipped a glass of wine in mid-January. “When I charged my bracelet, I envisioned myself being really organized, creating a to do list and being really disciplined about prioritizing the items on it. I made sure that I built in time for Sarah (her daughter) and holiday shopping, cooking and celebrating. I then visualized myself being calm and focused and in the present as I went through my day and in all of my interactions. I felt centered and grateful and joyful.”

She went on to say that each morning, she sat down and reviewed and revised her to do list, stayed focused on it and true to her priorities. Whenever she began to feel anxious because something came up that she hadn’t anticipated, she touched her bracelet, took a deep breath and brought herself back to a centered state and from that place, made a choice about how she wanted to spend her time. “I’d say we had the best holiday season I can remember because I wasn’t ‘losing it’ every ten minutes,” she shared. I had time to really enjoy what was going on. I know that my emotions are contagious, they set the barometer in our house and last year, instead of spreading stress and struggle, I was the source of joy and celebration.”

As with all of the bracelets, the magic is in the ‘charging’ process.  Sit quietly and visualize yourself being just exactly who you want to be.   Experience yourself snuggling into the way  you want to feel.  Imagine the sweet smell of hot cider and cinnamon simmering on the stove.  Relax.  Breathe deeply.  Touch the leaf or the stones to bestow your bracelet with the power to bring you to this place at a touch.  We can’t make crazy Aunt Ethel disappear or transform her but your bracelet can help you deal!  As you navigate the hectic pace of the holidays and you begin to notice the triggers to your old, stressful reactions, touch your bracelet, let it bring you back to your vision.  Take a deep breath and proceed as you choose, rather than allowing your emotions or Aunt Ethel to push you around.

Any New Leaf Touchstone Bracelet will do.  You may want to consider some of the Fall colors or, take a look at the special Holiday Collection, available only until December 24.

Give your friends and family members the gift of less stress throughout the year

New Leaf Touchstone Bracelets and Pocket Stones make great gifts!  Be sure to learn about the Soul Connection Bracelet, too.