CounselingBlog

Reducing Holiday Stress - Staying Healthy

Stress does a lot of things to our bodies, including lowering our immune system.

Shopping, holiday parties, special concerts, travel - the holiday season can put us in close proximity to a LOT of people and, a lot of germs and viruses.

I am just back from a quick trip to New York City. I did not shop much while I was there, but I did manage to bring back a cold. Did I get my cold germs while watching Wicked, riding the subway, walking through Central Park, at the Museum of Natural History, inside the beautiful 24/7 Apple Store?...I've no idea.

I am good about washing my hands - In fact, I think I am a bit of a raccoon about washing - I got sick anyway.

Today's tip to reduce your holiday stress - Wash Your Hands!

Wash your hands vigorously and frequently. Try to keep your hands away from your face. Consider carrying hand sanitizer for the times when you cannot wash.

If you have children, you might enjoy "Say Boo to the Flu" with lots of information about staying healthy and fun ways to get your kids to wash their hands.

Here is to your health!

Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
www.CounselingBlog.com

Singletasking Monday is Here!

We lose quite a bit of productivity by multi-tasking, and the ripple effect of that lack of mindfulness can be felt in our relationships too. Have you ever wanted to talk to your partner but he was clued to the computer screen. He was giving you attention - sort of - but it did not feel like you were valued.

Have you ever been on the phone with someone who was obviously doing something else while you two talked? She was in the conversation, but not fully.

Tim Sanders has challenged us all to stop the insanity of multi-tasking and single-task today. Do one thing at a time and do it whole-heartedly.

Are you up for the challenge? I am frankly a bit daunted by it. I multi-task a lot and so I am going to have to be very intentional about how I work today.

My challenge is increased by the presence of my new iPhone - talk about the perfect toy - er-phone.. Today I will only use my iPhone when I am doing nothing else. Not while I am watching the news, not when I am cooking.

Also, like a lot of folks, I leave my email open all day - so I can check on messages as they arrive. However, today, I am going to close the email program and check the emaill when I have time to devote to it.

I feel a sense of excitement about singletasking. There is something deep within me that says "this is the way we should live"

Good luck to you!! Let me know how your day goes.
Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
CounselingBlog

Unkind Words

As promised, here is another great blog post from Tim Sanders. This post holds an important lesson. There is a difference between showing empathy and putting your foot in your mouth.

I hope you'll read, "Don't Say an Unkind Word to Help"

And Tim Sanders, if you happen to read this, I really appreciate your honesty and transparency in your writing.

Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
CounselingBlog

Help! Money Problems!

Credit card debt - yuck.

I have had a lot of it, and paid it off, and now have some debt again.  Working for a non-profit has not left a whole lotta money for paying off the balances, and though I am lucky enough to have low interest rates - they still accrue interest.

I was having dinner with friends recently, and they suggested I do a "debt snowball."  I like snow and haven't been able to make a snowball since I left Tulsa four years ago - so I asked my friend to explain. 

He told me about this money guy, Dave Ramsey, who has a plan to get out of debt.  The idea is to pay your very smallest debt first - disregardiing the interest rate - pay off the small debt.  Then, use that same payment money to add to your payment for the next smallest debt, etc.  Focusing your energy on one debt, and getting that debt out of the way, causes a "snowball" effect on your bills - they get paid off more quickly and overall, you end up paying less in interest.

I really had to think about this idea - for a long time.  It almost seems counter-intuitive, until you start doing it.  But when you watch that first bill go down to zero, you get encouraged.  And, if you buy his books or see the DVD's, you start to feel more powerful with money, and less manipulated by the credit card companies.

I am trying this debt snowball - and I'll let you know how it goes.  So far, listening to the CD's on debt, and saving have helped me change my habits.

There is a lot more to Dave's plan, getting an emergency fund established, setting a budget, paying everything with cash or debit card - but the snowball is a great place to begin.

If you are interested, check out his website or listen to him on radio or podcast.

Happy Monday,
Cynthia
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Cynthia McKenna, LPC, NCC
Counseling & LIfe Coaching
www.cynthiamckenna.com
CounselingBlog

Great Ideas - Get Organized Now

I came across this website a few weeks back, and I have really enejoyed it.  It is called "Get Organized Now 

One of their links is called Checklist and it gives you an organizational idea for each day of the month.  I haven't been able to do all the things they suggest, but I have incorporated some of the checklist items - with great success.

They also offer a newsletter that I subscribe to - I love finding new ways to do things, to make my life easier.  And my clients always welcome a tip to get more organization in their lives. 

I am not associated with this website, but it has helped me and I hope you'll enjoy it as well.

Cynthia