Dealing with December

It's time to follow my own advice.As an online therapist I should practice as I preach. So I want to announce that his is probably the last blog for this year. It is not that I have run out of ideas for the blog, far from it. But I am swamped in work. First there is coursework I need to finish and I am on a deadline there. [I love studying and I am always finding courses to further my professional education or I even study for fun!] This being december which comes with a lot of social demands as well it was time for action. 

It manifested about a week ago, this feeling of panic, oh dear, how am I going to get everything finished, get all the presents bought, wrapped and in some cases shipping off. But up the christmas decorations, write the christmascards and... and... This weekend I said enough! This way I am not going to make it through December. I sat down and made a list of all the tings that really needed to be done, and a list of matters that could be dropped or postponed for a while. Crossing thigns off the list made me immediatly feel better. on some of the unavoidable tasks I was able to get some help so I don't have to do it alone. 
TIP: Ask familymembers and friends for help, they can't always see that you need it.
So now I have made a scedule for the rest of December that looks doable, and that will even give me a week off between Christmas and New Year's. This monday the world looks a lot brighter again. And you will be hearing from me again in the new year. That is a promise.



Take a look at your own scedules and see what you can drop or ask help with. 

Written by Mieke Haveman, online counsellor and member of the online therapy institute.

Winter!

I had other plans for this week's post but I do feel like blogging about what is in most people's mind here in Northern Europe. Days are getting very short indeed and on top of that winter is starting so much earlier than most of us are comfortable with.

view from my practice window

It brings me to the question of how you deal with winter? Does the lack of light affect you? Are you less mobile because of the snow? What have you got in place to make it through and even enjoy winter?

last year the winter surprised me and by the time I got round to buying snowboots they had all sold out. This year I was wiser and bought a pair in October and I actually look forward to going out in them, to walk in the snow and keep a grip and warm feet!I have also learnt not to plan too much out of town, rail and busses get very unpredictable. Also I make sure I have enough food in the house to last me several days and I know were I can get food delivered if push comes to shove. Not cheap but better safe... If I do have to go somewhere I do so in a safe way [no biking or car] and give myself plenty of time. If it is not safe to travel I cancel. Yes I know this is easy to say when you work from home.

On the shortening of the days, if this is a problem for you. It is for many people, think about investing in a daylight lamp. It can do wonders for people with seasonal depressions. If your muscles are the problem infrared light lamps can do wonders, I love the one I bought 2 years ago and I use it a lot right now combined with gell packs and long hot showers. This way for me the winter is managable and I can enjoy sitting next to the heater and look at the beautifull landscape outside of my window.

What do you do to get through winter? Please share your ideas.