Are you struggling with anxiety, depression or loss this holiday season?

Holiday time can be a challenging time for managing feelings of anxiety or depression. Beyond coping with daily struggles, many feel the added burden of: time and financial constraints commercialization and pressure to overspend media images of perfect couples and families celebrating holidays together idealized, yet unrealistic expectations feeling that our imperfect families and relationships… Read more »

December 3, 2018

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Create a Stress Coping Plan this Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time to spend with family and friends. It’s a time to celebrate long-lived traditions and introduce new ones. The holidays can also be a time when we experience numerous stressors such as doing too much and spending too much, experiencing too much togetherness, or not enough togetherness. The positive side… Read more »

December 1, 2018

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Consider Love in a Box This Holiday Season

I wanted to share a simple, meaningful, inexpensive gift idea that emerged from a discussion I had with a client about making a self-care box for themselves. It began when I shared what I had read about a unique exercise in a classroom. Children were acting up so a teacher had each child write one… Read more »

November 24, 2017

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Are you feeling stress this holiday season?

During the holidays, we often set impossible standards and place unrealistic demands on ourselves in an attempt to provide and enjoy the perfect season. Rather than enjoy, however, we feel stress about the shopping, the spending, holiday events, and pleasing others. When we are feeling the most overwhelmed, it is a good time to reflect… Read more »

November 23, 2017

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Support expectant mothers to have festive alternatives!

When a pregnant mother drinks…so does her unborn baby. During this upcoming holiday season, your FASD Community of Practice team would ask that you support any expectant mothers at holiday gatherings by offering them festive alternatives in lieu of alcoholic beverages. Here is a sample of a yummy festive mocktail: Countdown Mocktail: ½ oz passion… Read more »

December 6, 2016

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Are you Dreading the Holidays? 6 Tips to Find the Joy

Now that December is upon us, I feel a little panic, knowing that I only have a few weeks to get everything ready for the big day. It can be difficult to summon enthusiasm for the season when you are already running a tight schedule and are now further surrounded by the hubbub and added… Read more »

November 29, 2016

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Four Gift Challenge – Want, Need, Wear, Read

As a mom of two young children, the holiday season in our family has typically been a time of wonder, excitement, fun and of course, busyness and increased levels of stress. I seem to arrive at the same place each year when it comes to buying gifts for our children. One side of me wants… Read more »

November 26, 2015

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Workplaces Can Celebrate While Scaling Back

The holiday season is just around the corner and leaders in every sector are thinking about how to show appreciation. Although the big “holiday party” has been the customary way to say thanks to employees, many organizations are scaling back. But traditions are important. Appreciation is important. And, a celebration doesn’t need to be expensive… Read more »

November 28, 2014

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16 Holiday Shopping Habits to Adopt This Season

The excitement of the holiday season is upon us, however, so is the worry of what that means for our pocket books. There are ways to have an enjoyable yuletide without breaking the bank. Make a list and check it twice. Include whom you want to buy for and how much you want to spend… Read more »

November 24, 2014

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4 Reflections to Help You Manage Grief During the Holidays

Holidays after someone has died can be especially difficult. Many families get together during the holidays, often reminding us again of the loss. There are a few things that it can be helpful to remember, especially if this is the first holiday without a loved one: It’s perfectly normal to have renewed feelings of grief… Read more »

November 20, 2014

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