Coping with Stress and the Holidays

Stress and the holidays can go hand in hand - the plethora of activities, facing the void of a lost relationship or loved one, pressures of overspending, and/or overwhelm of having to attend gatherings where you tread lightly and cannot be yourself. It’s enough to send anyone over the top!  

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However, there is something you can do about it! 

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We have all been told time and time again that giving during the holidays makes us feel better and it is a scientific fact that giving has positive effects on the giver and receiver.  However, what about self-care? Research shows us that when you have mediators between self-criticism and depression, it helps you to have less stress and a connection to the importance for others. 

There are literally hundreds of empirically proved self-compassion exercises out there. However, CLC would like to share this self-compassion holiday stress mindfulness practice with you.  If you like this exercise please consider helping us to help youth in crisis this holiday season!

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(See the video below to find out more)

Heart-focused breathing won’t take a lot of time out of your day, but it can add lots of benefits to your life. It can be an excellent way to start and finish your day, but it can be practiced at any time anywhere and there are times in between when it is especially beneficial. Although this is not difficult to do, it may take a little time to become used to it, but eventually, you will establish your own natural rhythm.

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• Sit upright in a comfortable position. 

• Place a hand over your heart (It does not matter if it is right or left).

• Breathe in about 5 to 6 seconds and breathe out 5 to 6 seconds. 

• Breathe a little more deeply than normal but make your breath smooth, unforced and comfortable. 

• As you breathe in, imagine you are doing so through your heart, and, as you breathe out, imagine it is through your heart.  

• If your mind starts to wander, simply come back to your breath and focus on your heart. 

• Practice this exercise for 3 to 5 minutes twice a day or as needed. 

Give mindfulness to youth in crisis this Holiday Season!

Holiday Stress Mindfulness Practice

Every Donation Counts

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• Adolescent Program for Youth Hospitalized with Depression, Anxiety and Suicidal Tendency

  • Goal: $10,000 ( 80% needed to meet our goal)​

 IMMEDIATE FUNDING NEEDS

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