Just Ask Elizabeth - Tips for Better Sleep

Dear Elizabeth,

I need to sleep! I am really having trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. What do you do to help get a good night’s sleep?

Signed,

Sleepless in Stockton

Dear Sleepless in Stockton,

I, too, suffer from some sleepless nights from time to time. All feisty women do!

But, I have found that the more I exercise the better I sleep.

If I eat healthy (more fruits and vegetables), I sleep better, too.

If I sit as little as possible, I sleep better, too.

If I drink lots of water, I feel better, too.

I also have a steady work schedule and find that helps me sleep better, too. No work after 6 PM.

So, try my tips. Time for me to walk for my own better night of sleep.

Just Ask Elizabeth - Dealing With Family Over The Holidays

Dear Elizabeth,

I need some more tips for dealing with a “know it all” family member during the holidays.

Any Suggestions?

Signed,

Surrounded sometimes by “know it all types” in FL during the holidays

Dear Surrounded sometimes by “know it all types” during the holidays,

I know just how you feel! Family get-togethers can be VERY stressful. I often just choose to just be quiet and get into less trouble that way! I offer some of my “best to be quiet” suggestions that help to make peace at the dinner table.

Best to be quiet: when you do not have all the facts.

Best to be quiet: when you have the feeling that your words will hurt.

Best to be quiet: when it’s not the appropriate time to speak.

Best to be quiet: when you can be an attentive listener.

Best to be quiet: when you have nothing to say. Embrace the silence.

Best to be quiet: when you are being ridiculed. Just end the conversation with your silence.

Best to be quiet: when you are trying to change a toxic behavior.

Best to be quiet: when your negative emotions are high.

Best to be quiet: when your words reflect poorly on someone.

Have great character and just be quiet, listen, and smile! Now if we can all remember these words!!

Just Ask Elizabeth - Wellness During the Holidays

Dear Elizabeth,

As we are in the holiday season, I am starting to feel a bit stressed and sometimes, overwhelmed. Do you have any tips to help me enjoy the holiday season with less stress?

Stressed Out in MD

Dear Stressed Out in MD,

I, too, often feel stressed out in the holidays. So much to do and never enough time! I try to remember the following things and follow one of these every day during the holidays:

Have a healthy mind (keep your brain active), body (have a good diet), and spirit (have faith and hope).

Keep things simple and realistic. Remember that all good things take time, so start earlier on big projects.

Be inspired by the good deeds of others and create your own good deeds list.

Work hard, have faith, and stay responsible for those who need you.

Most of all…Have fun! Vary your activities, routes, and mix things up a bit!

These actions have helped me feel less stressed, so give my ideas a try. Let me know if they helped you, even a small bit. Have a great holiday!

Feisty Word of The Week - Think

This week’s word is THINK.

Have you ever heard these words?

“You are your words!” “Always THINK”

Your words let people know who you really are. People do remember your words and form an opinion of you, a good opinion or a bad opinion. They can make someone’s day or ruin their day. Even if you feel like venting, choose your words carefully because once spoken, words cannot be taken back. Always be kind when you speak because your kind word can make the day a good one for yourself and others. Always, always THINK before you say anything.

When speaking Always THINK before you speak!

T- Is it true?

H- Is it helpful?

I-Is it inspiring?

N- Is it necessary?

K- Is it kind?

Great idea to” THINK” in our world today, children and adults alike. We can all do better with our words. Try to always THINK before you speak. We all need to work on this!

Just Ask Elizabeth - Christmas To Do List

Dear Elizabeth,

As we begin the Christmas season, do you have any feisty words of wisdom for me to follow to help make the season a bit easier and less stressful?

Signed,

Wanting to be Less Stressed in Philadelphia

Dear Wanting to be Less Stressed in Philadelphia,

I have been thinking of ways to be less stressed during the upcoming Christmas holiday, too, and have come up with these suggestions for you and your family.

Always decorate using items that have special meaning for your family. Their faces will say it all.

Bake goodies that your family will love. Watch them devour and enjoy your treats.

Give to those in need with your family, Volunteer to go caroling, write cards, or send letters to the soldiers.

Focus on the great family members in your life and thank them for being there for you.

Offer an “air hug” to a family member in need of one.

Be thankful for your family visits during the season.

Tell your family members that you love them and enjoy watching their faces light up. Priceless!

These things are just the start of my list. I am sure that more things will be added as Christmas gets closer. Always appreciate and love your family.

Let me know your suggestions!

The Wisdom of Getting Older

Have you ever heard the phrase… “I may be old, but I’m not stupid”?

In my former career, I had to remind many young people of this constantly. I was a teen, many years ago, too, as I reminded them and did experience the same things as they did and as my nieces and nephews also do today. I was, just maybe…. a bit of a … “troublemaker”, “talker”, “dreamer”, “instigator”, “bored”, or was often “distracted” like some of them. My family may have known the school principal fairly well, so I speak from experience when I utter these words of being “old, but not stupid.” I have learned a few things from my mistakes.

I actually do possess some knowledge also about how to avoid getting in trouble and I did share these words, “I may be old, but I am not stupid,” with young folks and family. My advice is to follow these words and:

1. Know when to talk and know when to not talk.

2. Know when to argue and know when not to argue.

3. Know when to disagree and know when to call it a day.

4. Know when to admit that you are wrong and when to admit that you are not wrong.

5. Know when to offer criticism and when to offer praise.

6. Know when to move on and not to dwell on things.

7. And never ever chew gum!

So, feisty women, please do not hesitate to offer these “I may be old, but I am not stupid” hints to young and old who are struggling in school, work, or in life. They have helped many people and can help others in the future!

Just Ask Elizabeth- On Being Thankful

Dear Elizabeth,

I think that we should be thankful every day and not just on Thanksgiving. Some people, it seems, are never thankful.

Your thoughts, Elizabeth?

Signed,
Thankful in Modesto

Dear Thankful in Modesto,

I am in total agreement with you. Being thankful is so important every day. It is one of life’s important virtues. Being thankful for what you have in your life brings out the best in all of us. It enables all of us also to be our best in our daily interactions with others.

Observing Thanksgiving every year, I think, does remind us of the importance of always being thankful. We all have so much in our lives to be thankful for! Start a list and you will be surprised. Mine is at nearly 100 things.

President Lincoln first proclaimed Thanksgiving a National Holiday in 1863. His declaration of a national day to give thanks during the Civil War reminds us all that giving thanks needs to be an annual American custom. He sought healing, peace, harmony, tranquility, and union for all people, things we all need today as well.

So, be very grateful when you celebrate Thanksgiving this week. Be reminded on this day that we are all important and that we should always be thankful for all of the good things in our lives. Make each day a day of Thanksgiving because we all have so much to be thankful for in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving to all feisty women and their families and friends.

-Elizabeth

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Today I start my Feisty Woman Words of Wisdom Series. Each week I will offer feisty words to start your day. Enjoy!

Respect: this word says it all!

I have placed this word in my classroom, prominently displayed for my over 40 years of teaching.

I have placed this word in my car to remind me to do this when I am driving. I even have it on my refrigerator!

Everywhere you go. Everyone you talk to. Every interaction in your life requires this word. For people you like and especially for you like only a bit, this word says it all.

If you can”t treat me with respect, I will ask you to leave. And you can come back into my life to chat with me again when your words are not necessarily in agreement with mine, but respectful of my opinions.

We can just agree to disagree and still be friends. We really need this in our world today.

Aretha had it right! RESPECT!