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Friday, December 04, 2009

Christmas Parade Guest - Red Garnier

Reader's, let us welcome the lovely Red Garnier!





Keeping your cool during the holidays . . .

Oh my goodness, Christmas is upon us! When I was younger, it would feel like decades passed between one Christmas and another, and now that I’m older it seems that I’m barely recuperated from a holiday when I’m greeted with the next.

There’s tons to do, and so little time to do it.

This year, December was a big month for me. After almost a year and a half after finishing my first full length single title, it finally released. My family moved, so getting settled in a new household has taken up most my time during the past couple of months.
Between book promotion, gift purchases, house cleaning, and writing deadlines, I tell myself that I’m not stressed and yet there are a few telltale signs that I am: little sleep, hair loss, anxiety, and a ball full of energy that keeps simmering inside me without release.

So how to cope with the tornado of Christmas and all it brings with it?

Here are a few things I’m trying.

1. Holiday music – they do bring the cheer. We all know the songs, and yet usually my kids are the only ones to listen to it. It’s amazing how much peace and contentment “Jingle Bells” brings!

2. Extra hot showers – a soak in the bathtub or an extra hot shower instantly loosens up all the taught muscles in my back. Sometimes I wish I could stay soaking in a warm bath all day!
3. Lists – they’re proving to be extremely helpful in organizing my time. My mind keeps spinning with all my things to do, and yet once I put thoughts to paper, there’s an immediate and wonderful sense of relief.
4. 5 minutes a day – that’s it. Five minutes to just breathe, relax, and try to pull myself together. I used to be a smoker – and sometimes, I admit I still crave a cigarette. But what I’ve discovered I most crave is maybe not the tobacco itself but the five minutes you get to sit down and inhale and relax and hear yourself think.
5. Snuggling – after a hectic day, your heart is pumping faster, your nerves are frazzled, and the last thing you think you should be doing is sitting down to snuggle with your loved ones. But that’s just what I’m doing, and wow, it feels so good. And it works! Snuggle with the kids or with hubby and three minutes later I feel the stress start to dissipate.

Holidays are beautiful times that come and go so quickly, I’m determined to enjoy mine to the fullest this year. I plan to forget all the things I have to do and just enjoy a moment of health, love, family, and happiness. And I wish the same for you!

What are you doing to keep your cool during Holiday Season?

Don’t be shy and share your tips with us. A randomly chosen commenter will win a Redlightbooks.com relaxation kit – complete with lotion, CD, and black sleep shape mask!

18 comments:

Sarah S said...

Good Morning everyone!

Love the blog and the holiday feel. I just wanted to add my two cents, as the person who reviewed Ms. Garnier's book (you can find the review here: http://www.theromancereadersconnection.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3328:garnier-red-the-satin-sash&catid=25:new-reviews&Itemid=2) that The Satin Sash is one very well put together story. Hot, well, ok, steamy... but with a depth to the characters that was endearing to read.

Not your typical Holiday read perhaps, but it will warm up any night!

Thank you Ms. Garnier for the opportunity to read your story, I hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season!!


Are there any special events you have planned?

Unknown said...

Welcome! Loved your suggestions for coping with the holiday stress! Looking forward to reading your book as well!
Lori

Red Garnier said...

Sarah, thank you so much for the fabulous review. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed Sash - and yes, not your typical holida read! :-)

Hi Lori! Thank you for stopping by, glad you liked the tips.

Livia said...

This post is helpful to me,a person that looked at two boxes of Christmas cards sitting on the desk waiting and started to hyperventilate. So you know what I'm going to do? Go out and buy The Satin Sash, sit down and read it and forget about the cards for awhile.

Happy Holidays!

Glo said...

Thank you Ms. Garnier for the wonderful suggestions. My way of coping with the holiday stress, is to put on christmas music, and bake. It relaxes me. I don't always get to accomplish all that I want to do, during the holidays. But decorating, listening to music, and just being with family is my gift to myself.

I look forward to picking up your book. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Rista said...

Afternoon everyone!
I really enjoyed all the suggestions for avoiding the holiday stresses! I am happy to say that I sing at least 8 Christmas Carols a night (teaching my 3 year old) so can attest to the magic of Christmas songs! I look forward to reading your book!

Red Garnier said...

Livia, way to go, that's the spirit! :-) How could I have forgotten reading for stress relief? I do it all the time and it's my favorite past time ever.

Glo, oooh, baking! I've always envied my friends who bake so well - they get lost in the art of it and are really happy, healthy people!

Rista - fantastic! And don't you just have a blast singing them? We're adults and think we're sometimes not supposed to enjoy 'kiddie' stuff but hey! Deep down we're all kids at heart. :-)

Genella deGrey said...

Great post, Red! (May I call you Red?) :)

I never looked at snuggling as a way to relieve stress, but you are totally right. Not only is it a stress-buster, but it spreads the love.

Now to get my five year-old to sit down with me for a few minutes . . .

:)
G.

geri said...

Hi Red and welcome to TRRC! I loved reading your blog and I sure do understand the concept of stress over the holidays! My only stress buster that I would add is the whole concept of regularly exercising. I go to a gym very early in the morning and spend my 40-45 minutes in something heart pumping. It is not always so fun but it sure helps my stress level. So just my little piece of advice. geri

Cathy M said...

Reading is definitely a stress reliever for me. Even 30 minutes by myself, no phone,no computer,helps me to recharge.



caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com

Red Garnier said...

Genella, hi! Oh your five year old sounds adorable. I'll bet five seconds snuggling with your baby recharges you for the day!

Geri, excercise, yes! Fabulous advice. Not always fun, as you say, but healthy in more ways than just physical.

Cathy - I wholeheartedly agree. Thirty minutes of reading clears your mind so well. My problem is to limit myself to just thirty! :-)

Thank you all so much for your comments and advice!

In a couple more days our wonderful host will announce the prize winner. You're all so awesome!

Wylie Kinson said...

Red - I love your idea (all of them, actually) about the music. You're soooo right -- one can NOT be stressed when White Christmas is playing! :)
I'm going to dig out my triple CD pack of Xmas music and enjoy a restful day. Thanks!

By the way - I read Satin Sash in two sittings (would have been one but the kids, you know...)
It was fabulous! Hot, sexy and oh so emotional - I was being tugged to Grey, then to Heath, then to Grey, they to Heath... well, you get the picture :D

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Moni said...

Great post Red and The Satin Sash sounds very intriguing.

Whenever, I am in a bad mood, feeling stressed or just out of sorts, I will play one of my favorite songs (six in total). Take a whiff of my favorite fragrance or lotion, make for the kitchen to bake, read or shop.

Red Garnier said...

Wylie, aww, you make me turn red, you do. I'm so glad you enjoyed!

Moni, yes, oh yes, fragrances! Definitely another stress-reliever for me. Lavender will always relax me. :)

Red Garnier said...

Thank you all for stopping by and saying hi, it's been wonderful to apply your tips to my days - they're doing wonders, let me tell you!

Lori, your name came up as the winner. Please email me at redgarnierATgmail.com so I can ship your prize! Congratulations and thank you all once again. Happy Holidays!

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