Have lots of people on your shopping list this season? Getting expensive? Give yourself these following gifts, for free, and your Holidays will be a brighter experience!

1. Take ten minutes for yourself!
If you start the morning a little earlier, or stay up a few moments past everyones bedtime, take those few moments for yourself, to stay calm, relaxed and centered.

2. Meditate

The relaxing effect of meditation, which has been proven to have positive reactions in memory, and stress relief, does not have to take for a long period of time to be effective. Begin with a guided meditation, 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Laugh
Take a moment to watch, read, or listen to something funny. Laughter will elevate your vibrations, relax your body, and just plain feel good.

4. Start a Gratitude Journal
Being grateful is not only for Thanksgiving. A constant attitude of gratitude will help you focus on the beauty surrounding you.

5. Be physically active.
Play with the kids in the yard, have a snowball fight, go for a walk through the neighborhood, or do yoga. Any of these activities are an instant mood lifter, and on top your children will be happy to spent time with you.

6. Set goals.
Set goals for each day, for the holiday season, for the future. Plan how you want to feel, what you want to do. If you have a plan, you are more likely to get where you want to be.

7. Read about the power of your thoughts.
This is not a new idea, comming from the makers of "The Secret", but has been written and published since the 1920's. We are what we think. Read about this amazing power you have within you.

8. Dance, sing, simply be silly.
Stress relief at its best. Who said, just because you are an adult, you can not have fun?

9. Eat healthy.
If you eat healthy most of the time, then you do not have to feel guilty about those holiday dinners. This way you can enjoy the meal for what it is best, the togetherness, the sharing, the feeling of family.

10. Forgive yourself.
Whatever happend in the past, a bad word you had with an relative, or a not so perfect party you had planned to give, forgive yourself. It is gone, let it go. Now, is the only time you have, so you mind as well enjoy it.

Happy Holidays!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Coach, Fundraiser
For more articles on holiday stress relief, and motivation, visit www.livingpossibilites.com Stop by, and sign up for a free newsletter "Bits of Motivation"