The Eighth Gift of Christmas

I had a fab reflexology session today. All the tension in your body is released through a really deep intense foot massage.You lie in a darkened room, listening to soothing music and a trained reflexologist lavishes your feet in scented oils and pets and pampers and spoils your feet. It´s amazing. I highly recommend it. Trained reflexologists offer their services at the Dublin Holistic Centre where I also practise, counselling, psychotherapy and career coaching.

The Seventh Gift of Christmas

Become like a cat. Ever seen a stressed out cat? My cat can sleep for 12 hour stretches at a time on every bed in the house, which we are all very grudgingly allowed share. He only wakes up to be fed and go out to the loo. He contributes nothing to the household in any visible way as my husband keeps pointing out and yet is treated the best - because the cat believes he deserves it. You need to believe you deserve it too. As the L´Oreal ad says because you´re worth it.

Cheryl Cole - Beaut.ie

The Sixth Gift of Christmas

Take a bit of time to relax this Christmas just for you. Go and look at Boots website to find some lovely new bathing or beauty products half price and take a bit of time to pamper yourself. You´ll feel like a million dollars. Try it, it works!

The Fifth Gift of Christmas

Children and pets are what make Christmas really special. The excitement of children waiting for Christmas morning and opening the presents from Santa is magical. If you don´t have children of your own then go over to a friend or a brother or a sister´s house for X-mas morning with small kids and remember what magic is all about. The look of the little girl in the pink pyjamas in the Coca Cola ad who see Santa is fab. The calmness, joy, and love you get from hugging a child or stroking a pet is amazing. That´s what makes Christmas. Try it. It works!

The Fourth Gift of Christmas

I'd like to suggest you stop reading, listening and watching the news over the holiday season. Certainly in Ireland at the moment, you would be jumping off buildings if you followed the news for too long. Try and read and listen and watch positive things. The stories about people helping and loving each other. It's a bit like the voice over at the start of the film Love Actually -
when you go to the arrivals hall at the airport you see love and friendship and genuine delight and excitement at someone's arrival. 99% of people in this world are good and loving. Let's focus on that over Christmas. Try it, it works!

The Third Gift of Christmas

Talk to friends and family about issues that are concerning you. Getting another perspective is so important and your friends and family really care about you, so will give you the best advice possible. Try it, it works!

The Second Gift of Christmas

Making and sticking to a decision frees up so much energy for other things in your life. Even if it's a hard decision to come to, because you don't want to have to carry out the task or speak to someone on a difficult topic, once you make the decision to do it and just do it, even if not brilliantly - you will feel fantastic, relieved and ready to move on to the next thing in your life. Try it, it works!

The First Gift of Christmas

The first gift of Christmas is to make sure that you always look your best on the way out the door. This really adds to self-confidence and self-esteem. I'm not saying a party outfit every time you leave the house, but make sure that your clothes are co-ordinated and flattering, your hair is clean and for women, that you have some mascara and lip gloss on. Believe me it works!