“There is no ideal Christmas; only one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions.” – Bill McKibben

“As you simplify your life, laws of universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, not weakness.” – Henry David Thoreau

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Christmas is on way. How many times has someone asked you “The Big Holiday Question?” If you are a woman, you have probably heard it several times already. You, yourself, might have asked others The Big Holiday Question. If you are a man, you probably have no idea what The Big Holiday Question is.

The Big Holiday Question

The Big Holiday Question is, “Are you ready for holidays?” I first became aware of this question years ago. I noticed that women began to greet each other with The Big Holiday Question, starting sometime in late October, and kept asking question into January.

I also noticed that almost every woman answered The Big Holiday Question with an exasperated, “No,” and then begin to recite myriad of tasks she “had to do.” I have often heard women end their recitation with a fervent declaration, “I dread holidays and wish they were already over.”

If you listen, you will hear question everywhere you go. The Big Holiday Question is something like private code of a secret society. By asking The Big Holiday Question, women instantly recognize themselves as members of a society of sisters overwhelmed with Too Much To Do.

“Christmas is a season of such infinite labour, as well as expense in shopping and present-making line, that almost every woman I know is good for nothing in purse and person for a month afterwards, done up physically, and broken down financially. “ --Fanny Kemble

More Is Not Abundance

Ironically, The Big Holiday Question is one of most powerful and insidious enemies to living an “Abundantly Alive Now!” life. The reason is that Big Holiday Question is propelled by idea of doing more, and more, and more, and more. All around us, we are bombarded with messages of more.

•Good sleep is a component of good health. Things that you do for good health are essential and will directly impact your quality of sleep. This means eating a healthy diet, regular exercise and good daily multivitamin/mineral supplements.

•A healthy diet that is high in phytoestrogens such as fruits and vegetables may help if cause of your sleep disturbance happens to be related to being perimenopausal. Apples, carrots, cherries, green beans, oats, peas, potatoes, soybeans and sprouts - just to mention a few! •Avoid stimulating agents such as nicotine and caffeine – that includes coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Even one cup of coffee in morning can affect sleep quality hours later. We, as women, tend to metabolize caffeine much slower than men. If you smoke or chew tobacco…quit. Short of that, avoid smoking/chewing within a few hours of going to bed.

•Sleep in a dark room. (How bright is your illuminated clock?)

•Develop a sleep routine: going to bed at same time; rituals such as having a cup of relaxing tea and then washing up, and like. •Avoid taking naps.

•Is your sleeping space comfortable? Look at light, noise and temperature. How about your bed? Is it too firm or too soft?

•Avoid late night heavy meals. However, a light snack at bedtime may be helpful.