10 WAYS TO ELIMINATE WINTER STRESS

                                                                                         

10 WAYS TO ELIMINATE WINTER STRESS
by
Terri Emmett

Warm weather is just about over and cold weather will be here before we know it. By completing the following projects while the weather is at its best, you can savor the final weeks of warm weather and face the upcoming seasonal change with confidence.

1.) CLEAN OUT THE BASEMENT. Early fall is the perfect time to air out the basement and rid the area of last year’s accumulated cobwebs and dust bunnies. Go through all the boxes stacked in the corners and rid your life of the ghosts of Christmas’ past and other unnecessary and now-forgotten debris.

2.) GIVE YOUR HOUSE A FALL CLEANING ONCE-OVER. Before the house is closed up for the winter, mop the floors, wash the throw rugs, flip the mattress and treat yourself to new bed linens. Fresh, clean curtains in the windows and freshly vacuumed upholstery will all do their part in providing a cozy, homey feeling during the stuffy winter months.

3.) HAVE THE FURNACE CHECKED AND CHANGE FILTERS. New furnace filters are one of life’s bargains because they allow your furnace to operate much more cost efficiently. If you have washable filters, hose them off in the back yard now and simply brush them off again after the furnace has had a chance to run for a few weeks. This procedure should keep your furnace running as efficiently as possible throughout the winter.

4.) STOCK UP ON CANNED GOODS AT THE GROCERY STORES – Squirrels are nature’s own little examples of true savvy and when it comes to preparing for winter, we would be wise to follow their examples. Fill the freezer and stock up on enough canned goods and bulky paper products now to last the entire winter. Pushing grocery carts through slushy parking lots in 0 degree weather is not pleasant and the less you have to deal with during those times will be greatly appreciated. Plan ahead and purchase all you can now.

5.) WASH, WAX AND SERVICE THE CAR. Preparing your vehicle for winter is a wise investment, both financially and emotionally. There is a feeling of relief you experience after your car has been serviced and the mechanic doing the work has not discovered a list of potential major problems that could disrupt your immediate financial future; it’s like going to the dentist for a checkup and being told you don’t have any cavities. Treasure the moment. There is a certain security derived in knowing your battery is in tip-top shape and your car’s fluids are fresh and filled.

If your mechanic should discover a minor problem area, get it fixed before winter sets in. You don’t want to face winter driving knowing that, at any time, you could end up stranded miles from nowhere.

A thorough cleaning of your automobile, both inside and out, is one of life’s emotional thrills that is relived every time you get into the car for weeks afterward.

A good wax job adds protection against the slushy snow and salt mixtures that are inevitable during the winter months. Once the highways are completely clear of the residue left behind after each snowstorm, a quick drive through the car wash should be the only additional protection you need to keep your car looking good all winter long.

6.) HAVE A FALL GARAGE SALE. As the official Garage Sale season winds down, now is time to make your move. Start advertising your sale a week or two in advance. This late in the season, you may be the only game in town and this could be your opportunity to really cash in on customer traffic.

7.) START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. You can find some excellent bargains this time of year as retailers make every effort to purge their stockrooms in preparation for the influx of new Christmas merchandise, which usually begins to arrive in most department stores in late August and early September. These endeavors by the retailers to free up stockroom space can translate into some tremendous close-out bargains on both this year’s summer products, and fall and winter merchandise that may have been left over from last year. Chances are, you’ll find some terrific deals, many of them unadvertised.

8.) HAVE A FAMILY PICNIC. After Labor Day, most city parks are all but abandoned. This is a perfect time for an end-of-summer family get-together and carry-in dinner at the park: The pavilion is generally available without reservations, even on the weekends; the rest rooms will have no waiting lines; and the kids can have the playground equipment pretty much to themselves. The weather is usually at its ideal temperature this time of year and the attendance of ants, mosquitoes and pesky flies is minimal since they have generally, for the most part, moved on.

9.) HOST A FAMILY FOOTBALL GET-TOGETHER. Football season on the big screen: It doesn’t get any better than that! With the weather still nice enough that the kids can play outside, this is the perfect time for the grown-ups to enjoy the football game together indoors. Plan a pre-game patio pot-luck dinner, and enjoy the afternoon with your friends with minimal clean-up afterwards.

10.) START LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB. Most business promotions and retirements take effect at the start of a new year. Companies often make New Year’s resolutions for themselves, too, and many of these resolutions today include lay-offs, described in more gentle and politically correct terms, such as “restructuring” and “down-sizing.” When you first hear either of these terms whispered around the office, take note and take them seriously, especially if you are near or over 50 years old.

If you have the slightest inkling that you are going to be in need of a new job, the sooner you begin looking, the more comfortable your job-search will be. This gives you time to be selective of the company you want to work for and gives you the opportunity to check them out before you submit your application to them. If you apply for a position and later realize you are truly not interested in working for that company, don’t waste your own time or the interviewer’s time – bow out graciously; admit to yourself and to the company that the job just isn’t something you would be interested in after all. The Company will appreciate your honesty.

While you still have a job is the best time to look for a new position: a.) You can be more selective in finding a new career you will enjoy for many years to come by reviewing the options available and taking your time searching for the “right” job; b.) You won’t be pressed for time or forced into accepting the first less-than-desirable offer that comes your way simply to “get by” until something better comes along. This is neither being fair to yourself nor to the employer who has hired you.

Realize that a job is a long-term commitment and requires dedication and devotion on your part. You owe this to an employer who has put his confidence and trust in you by hiring you in the first place. Take your time and know what you want before throwing out blind ads in every direction. The most important thing you can give an employer is your best effort. That’s much easier to do if the job matches your interests. Give a career change time, patience, and lots of thought. It never hurts to be prepared.

Make the most of the remaining weeks of warm weather that lay ahead by preparing for the cold in advance. Once you’ve completed these projects, you can face the new season with happiness and peace of mind!

About the author:
Terri Emmett has THREE FREE ONLINE COURSES: THE ORGANIZED HOUSEKEEPER'S HOUSEBOOK; THE ORGANIZED HOUSEKEEPER'S SIX-WEEK CHARM COURSE; 100 STEPS TO ETERNITY, and has an armchair tourist site for those who are limited in their ability to travel but would like to see America's Beauty and the world's cultural treasures.
www.charmcourse.com
www.americansr.com
www.prophecyguide.net

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