The following may help you to feel good about yourself in the New Year.

1. Plan ahead. Plan strategies to enjoy yourself without focusing on eating and drinking more than you need:

* Start and finish with non-alcoholic drinks;

* Stand away from the buffet table when talking with others, as you can talk your way through a lot more food than you would normally eat;

* Engage in activities, including talking with others maybe even go for a walk or play golf with them, rather than eating and drinking;

* Sip alcohol slowly and make your drink last longer;

* Select vegetable and fruit nibbles rather than grains with rich toppings or fried

foods;

* Be mindful of how much you have eaten. Remember the size of your stomach is equivalent to your hands held palms together with your fingers touching.

2. Pace yourself throughout the coming month, recognising your bodyʼs needs while still enjoying yourself. Rather than try to do everything in one day, spread your ʻmust doʼsʼ over the week. If you have a big day or night, plan a quiet one the following day.

3. Start each day with 2 BIG glasses of water to wash out your systems. And S-t-r-e-t-c-h - your body will appreciate your efforts!

4. Make time first thing, or if it suits you better later in the afternoon with a friend or work colleague perhaps, for a brisk half hour walk to get your body moving aerobically. Jane likes to walk in the morning when itʼs quiet, so there are no excuses later in the day.

5. Drink as many non-alcoholic drinks as you can and indeed encourage good host and hostessing by contributing some delicious non-alcoholic drinks when asked to “bring a plate”. Remember cold herb teas make a tasty and nutritious base for non-alcoholic cocktails and punches.

6. Prepare healthy snacks and dishes that include plenty of fresh in-season fruits and vegetables to contribute at social occasions.

7. Put aside time, at least 2 hourly time slots, for your hobby, garden, family or friends or to prepare for Christmas and the New Year break.

8. Recognise your symptoms of stress. Examine your ʻself-talkʼ to note what you are repeatedly saying to yourself. Rephrase those statements in positive terms with consideration for yourself and for others who may also be stressed.

Should the conversation you are having with yourself be less than useful and need interrupting, call in to as Well as for some specific Bach Flowers.

9. Gift-challenged? Here’s an idea for you for gift-giving this year - a Gift Voucher for a as Well asʼ services to give as a gift. Call in on your way past or phone or email us and arrange internet banking so we can post a Gift Voucher out to you.

10. Plan time to ʻrefreshʼ yourself. Ask yourself: “What do I really feel like doing, that is also good for me?”

Remember: “If itʼs to be, itʼs up to me!” and remember that Jane and Rahn are here to support you in being as well as possible.

Have A Very Happy Summer Holiday...