Most of us can't spend two weeks at a health spa whenever we need a little pampering. But it's easier to buff up our mental health, taking only a few minutes here and there.
The holidays have a way of turning generosity into pressure and joy into a to-do list. The antidote is not a grand escape but a handful of small, deliberate pauses - a walk without your phone, a slow cup of coffee, ten quiet minutes before the house wakes.
Protect a little time that belongs only to you, say no to the obligations that drain more than they give, and remember that being present is the finest gift you bring to any table. If the weight ever feels heavier than the season, there is no shame in reaching out to someone you trust, or to a professional who can help.
Originally published in View AZ Highlife Magazine, Dec 2007 / Jan 2008.