Creating Fun, Quality Family Time Over The Holidays

The holidays can often seem to end up a whirlwind of activities, particularly when it comes to staff parties, family events, and other obligations. Finding time to provide quality, fun and engaging family time doesn't have to be a challenge, and there are simple, low-cost ways that families can be together while enjoying the spirit of the season.

To help get started, looking into what is available in your community is a great first step. Many communities have cultural activities, fairs, Christmas parades and other types of activities that are free of any costs or very low cost to attend.

If you are wondering what else you can do, why not consider:
•    Donating your time – as a family, volunteer to work at a community charity in your area. The whole family can help at a food bank, volunteer time at a nursing home, or even help out at the local animal shelter than may be short on volunteers at this time of year.
•    Go outdoors – just unplug and disconnect for a day as a family and go to a local park or nature area. Plan a hike or try a winter picnic complete with hot chocolate, a bonfire, and hotdogs and s'mores, or even a day on the local hill for sledding. Many community centers also have snowshoe or cross-country ski rentals that are affordable if you don't have your own equipment. You can also rent skates and go ice skating indoors or out depending on where you live.
•    Play some board games – this is a terrific time of year for Mom and Dad, or the grandparents, to share some favorite board games from their childhood days. Even young children can play as a "team" with an adult, and kids love board games such as:

• Snakes and Ladders
• Checkers
• Monopoly
• Clue
• Scrabble
• Life

Most of these games are readily available at thrift stores and garage sales and make a wonderful way to spend some quality time on cold days or evenings.

Kids also love to be involved with the holiday baking, meal preparation and decorating. The more you involve the children and spend time together the more the holiday will become a memorable event for everyone in the family.

Eliminate Your Excuses For Skipping The Gym

Regular exercise is an important part of
maintaining your health. Going to the
gym once a month won’t do it, no
matter how hard you work out that day.
Here’s how to fight the temptation to
avoid exercise when you’re not in the
mood:

• Clear your mind. Make a regular
date with yourself for exercise and train
yourself not to think about all the other
tasks you could be doing. Focus on the
here instead of being distracted.

• Find exercise you enjoy. Most gyms offer a variety of exercise equipment, so choose an activity that makes you feel good while you’re doing it, not something you detest no matter how beneficial it may be. Riding a bike through your neighborhood is just as helpful as sitting on a stationary bicycle in the gym.

• Set your own goals. Even if you work out with a buddy or trainer, decide for yourself what you want to achieve. Set realistic targets that challenge you, not impossible goals that make you reluctant to try.