During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Do something different.  Traditions are often created because we want to re-experience the good we had at another time.  For example, maybe the first time we baked a pumpkin pie we enjoyed the families reactions so much that we now feel obligated to make a pumpkin pie each year.  So do something new.  Hide Christmas balls for the kids, do pot luck with your friends, rent a movie filmed in the Caribbean, make vegan meatloaf or throw a costume party.  Traditions have their place, but it’s actually better for our minds and emotions if we throw in some surprises.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.   So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Don’t mask your feelings.  Human beings are emotional.  If you feel lousy be honest with yourself.  If we mask our feelings with food, drugs, alcohol or compulsive behaviors it only makes the emotions more difficult to deal with.  Find healthy ways to nurture yourself-a hot bubble bath, a nice cup of herbal tea, a vigorous walk in the woods, a cup of coffee with an old friend or stay in your PJ’s and read a good book.  Emotions change all the time and know that things will look different for you sometime soon.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Share a vegetarian meal.  Many people still have the impression that vegetarian food tastes like cardboard.  This is not true.  As more and more people have become aware of the horrors of factory farming and the chemicals and antibotics used in factory farming techniques, vegetarian meals have gained popularity.  One of my favorites is a riblet soy product. I also like to suprise people by introducing them to cruelty free (soy based) lunch meats.  Next time you attend a potluck, consider bringing a vegetarian meal.

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Christmas Pets.  Personally, I hate the idea of giving an animal as a gift.  I think it sends the wrong message to children.  It’s also a very difficult transition for the animal amplified by the chaos of the holidays.  Additionally, there are Christmas items that are toxic to pets (i.e. chocolate for dogs, poinsettias for cats, etc).

If you want to purchase or adopt an animal, it’s best to do so well in advance of the holidays or after the company leave. If you really want to plan this as a Christmas event, buy and wrap a book about the dogs or cats for your child.  Insert a card letting the child know that they will be able to pick out a pet after the holidays are over.  Use this as a time to teach your children that pet safety is an important part of pet care and that you want the new animal to be safe.  Unfortunately, by February 1st, many new pets are brought to shelters because of a poor understanding on how to care for and train a pet.  

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Plan more rest.  In the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to neglect ourselves.  Does the tree really need more decorations, do you really need to buy one more present.  Look at your calendar and write in me times.  This could be a hour on Sunday afternoon to read a book or take a nap.  Make plans to get together with friends in January.  Simplify, simplify, simplify. 

The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Avoid alcohol.  If you struggle at all with depression, avoid alcohol during the holidays.  Alcohol is a depressant and you’ll only feel worse.  If you’re invited to a party where you think people will be drinking, plan on making it a short visit and brings something that can pass for a drink.  I love to drink sparkling water with a twist of lime.  While alcohol can be sort of fun, for some people it’s addictive, and for others it increases depression.

During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Focus on Faith.  Regardless of your beliefs, Christmas is a great reminder to focus on our spiritual path.  Consider reading a book from another religion.  I find reading Jewish and Buddhist literature helpful in my faith.  It may help you understand the correlation between religions as well as provide some insight into the beliefs of other people.

During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Lower your expectations.  Television surrounds us with erroneous messages of traditional “at-home” Christmas’ with multi-generations all getting along and everyone making it home for the holidays.  It puts a lot of pressure on dysfunctional families and tragically, more people commit suicide at this time of year than any other time.

Regardless of your faith, Christmas is just another day.  It will soon be over.  If it turns out great and everyone makes it to one location that’s fantastic.  If you spend the day by yourself, make a nice meal and do something you really enjoy.  It’s only 24 hours.  If it feels unbearable, find a safe place to hang out like a coffee shop, a 12-step group, or even go sit at the airport and watch people. 

During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Give gifts that bless the universe and don’t drain your wallet.  Financial pressure often accompanies the holidays.  Many people use Christmas gifts as a chance to “prove their love” or “redeem a relationship”.  However, many gifts are free, or inexpensive and very thoughtful.  Maybe instead of by gifts for friends you can have a pot luck and a “white elephant” gift exchange.  Perhaps your family will start a new tradition-no store bought gifts.  Maybe you and your partner can give each other a message or plan a romantic get away.  If money’s tight, bundle up and take a romantic walk in the woods.  No matter how much you have to give, the greatest present you can every give is your love, acceptance and compassion.

During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Eat Organic.  When you feed your body food free of chemicals and antibiotics you are blessing your body, and blessing the earth.  Our bodies are the greatest machines we will ever own and yet many people balk at the cost of healthy food.  When your body is healthy your have greater endurance, your brain functions better and you learn quicker.  And, because your functioning at a higher level, it will probably be easier for you to seek better employment opportunities or make wiser decisions regarding business opportunities.