For me getting grounded and staying grounded is 100% in my control.  Happiness is something that truly starts internally. If your not content with yourself it is hard to be content with others. If your not patient with yourself it’s hard to be patient with others. I know this might not seem true, but I promise that if you take the time to ground yourself and cultivate inner peace — your light will shine from within and never be dimmed by external factors. Here’s how I do it. I challenge you to make these little efforts FOR YOURSELF through the new year.

1. MEditate.

I always have some sort of meditative practice in my life at least on most days. For me, I love nature, I find my peace walking barefoot in the grass or lying on the beach or taking a solo walk with my puppies. Find yours. Maybe it’s an hour of yoga, maybe it’s a long hot shower. The key is to find piece of mind that is all your own despite what is going on with outside factors. (Don’t know where to start?? You can find some great guided meditations at omvana.com)

2. Relax like it’s your job.

When I have that extra time away from work over the holidays it can be easy to start ‘cooking like it’s my job’ or ‘entertaining like it’s my job’, but instead consider this — relax like it is your job. Those other things — cooking and hosting should remain fun, personal, secondary activities. According to this Huffington Post article it has been scientifically proven that practicing relaxation lowers your risk for heart disease, stroke, depression and even the common cold. Stop jumping from one chore to the next and force yourself to chill (not always easy). I think that a great way to do this is with simple silent observation — instead of being the most talkative sit back and quietly watch the party happen — this is a great practice. Relax so that you can be your best you when you are with your loved ones.

3. Count those blessings.

When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed by holiday plans, gift-getting and multiple functions- change your perspective. Consciously think — I am so blessed to have these beautiful people in my life to buy gifts for, and places to go, and traditions to enjoy. According to the ‘Three Blessing Exercise’ study by the American Psychological Association, if you count three blessing every night your overall mood is likely to increase and depression decrease in just one week. You deserve that!

Thanks for reading — you are all a blessing to me.