I don't do New Years Resolutions well.

The last 2 years I have resolved to remember to send birthday cards to my loved ones all year.
I mean well. I really do.
Life just gets away from me and another resolution bites the dust.

My resolution for 2009 is ~ Relax ~ Chill out girl!

I am a self-confessed stress head. I tend to worry too much about the little things and (particularly at certain times of the month) I get myself all upset & stressed.

So I have been investigating my new 'relax & de-stress' resolution and here's what I've come up with to help me out ...

Relax My Body
I need to practice a deep breathing/meditation technique.
This I will do when I feel the stress creeping up on me...
Sit quietly, somewhere comfortable & preferably quiet.
Close my eyes
Relax my body – starting from my toes and up to my face (this I have taught my kids when they're having trouble sleeping. Tahlia calls it “the body thing”). Stay relaxed.
Breath slowly ...in...and....out.
I'll try to picture myself somewhere lovely, quiet and peaceful.
Exercise Daily (this one will be tricky)
I need to find the time for light exercise every day. Exercise reduces stress by releasing endorphins.
I will set a goal to get up early and go for a walk at least every second day. That's a start.
Eat well
I am finding myself craving the wrong foods more & more. This needs to stop.
I need to eat more fresh fruit & vegetables, whole grains and fish, and cut out the fried, fatty junk foods, biscuits & chocolate (well- maybe I'll reduce the chocolate to every-now-and-then!).
I will drink more water & limit myself to 2 or 3 cups of tea/coffee a day.
Give myself Time-out (another tricky one)
I will try to give myself time-out once a day.
Ideas I have are;
Find a quiet place to read a book for a little while.
Listen to my favourite music.
Talk to a friend on the phone.
Go to the beach. (I feel too guilty to go to the beach if the kids are at school. Why? Who knows? There are so many times of the year when I'm at work & they're at home having fun. I need to remind myself that I deserve the time-out)
Drop in & see friends.
Take a warm, soothing, uninterrupted bath.
Have a massage (ooooh that would be super-indulgent!).
Think Positive
I need to push away negative thoughts and practice thinking positively.
Spend time outdoors
I will get outside more.
Laugh.
I will see a funny movie, spend time with (or phone) a friend that makes me laugh or watch something funny on t.v if I feel I need a laugh.
Herbal assistance.
A number of months ago I was taking Blackmores Women's D-Stress herbal supplements. I stopped when a health store worker recommended something else because she didn't have those. I felt fantastic whilst I was taking them. They are full of B vitamins and also have Withania somnifera (Winter Cherry) which worked like a dream. I got a box today. That'll definitely help.

So that's the plan. Wish me luck.

And for a visual treat I present to you my "celebrity" - Will Smith ....

(can't wait to see this movie)