Turn Your Weekend Into A Staycation!

photograph courtesy of Lev Vertov

Summer is over but do you still need a vacation? One of our favorite Life Coaches, Eli Davidson, recently shared an article with us on how to turn your weekend into a "staycation".

"Staycation" Nation
As I wave good-bye to summer, I realize how very precious and restorative a vacation is. So I decided to make my weekend into a "staycation". If you aren't taking a one, two or three week vacation, it is essential that you give yourself a weekend "staycation" at least once a quarter.

Here are tips from my weekend "staycation".

1. Take A Vacation....From Your PDA
One of the fastest ways to unwind is to take a vacation from your PDA. As a culture we are accustomed to being "wired" all day every day. I put the phone in a kitchen drawer.

2. Is Your Name Martha?
Unless your name is Martha Stewart and you just love, love, love to organize drawers do not turn your "staycation" into a chore and errand festival. (I had a client whose hobby was ironing -so I know that those folks are out there!) If you know that you are more relaxed with a tidy home take the weekend before your weekend "staycation" to clean.

3. The 12 Steps.
Even when on holiday many Americans only take a 'semi vacation". They lug their laptop to the beach and I have seen them talking on their cell phones while taking a hike. They allow themselves to work "1 or 2 hours" a day. If you aren't fully disconnected from your work, you aren't allowing yourself to truly replenish. A semi vacation isn't the real vacation your body needs.
How do you avoid that? The 12 Step Rule.

Take 12 steps away from your computer, blackberry, iPhone. If you can't take the 12 steps away from your computer for two days...you may be addicted to the over stimulation it represents.

Take a real break for two days a month.

4. It's Nap Time.
"After the going's been tough the tough get horizontal." If you are like most Americans you have a sleep debt. Take some vacation time to catch up on your zzzzzz's. Studies show that lack of sleep is a huge stressor for your body. It feels luxurious to nap when your body asks for sleep.

***
Eli Davidson is a nationally recognized executive coach and motivational
speaker. Her book, "Funky to Fabulous: Surefire Success Stories for The Savvy, Sassy and Swamped", (Oak Grove Publishing) has won three national book awards.

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Mercury in Retrograde

Get Up Girl astrologer, Phyllis Firak-Mitz, keeps us informed on some outstanding Astrological Energies forming over the coming 2 weeks.

First, Mercury is Retrograde between September 7th through September 29th. This is terrific for introspection and reviewing recent decisions and assumptions to insure they truly work for you.

But Mercury Retrograde is also when communications can get a little screwy. So be clear in what you say. Be flexible too, as Mercury Retro can also signal disruptions in plans, travels, equipment, and agreements.

I’ve listed below where each Sun Sign might experience this Mercury Retrograde the most. Those born September 12th-28th, March 12th-26th, June 11th-17th and December 12th-26th might be most sensitive this Mercury Retrograde’s “change of plans” energies.

Some people hold off making major decisions during Mercury Retrograde because matters are so changeable. But don’t hold off moving forward in life. Just prepare a “Plan B” incase what you agree to or expect goes a bit awry.

Be especially mindful September 18th and 19th . Deeper implications of things can surface then. You may also come to realize hidden issues and conflicts that need to be addressed.

Other outstanding constellations involve Venus, the Planet of Love. She is in strong aspect to Inspiring Jupiter, Dreamy Neptune and Sensitive Moon - all between now and September 16th. This can really heighten our relationships! These love/spiritual aspects can also help us see the beauty in others and reach beyond our normal experience of love – especially between September 12 and September 16th.

But these Venus aspects could also make us a little reckless and indulgent in our alliances. Enjoy yourself but use good sense and continue to make sure people are who you really think they are.

Here’s where your Sun Sign might feel this month’s Mercury Retrograde the most:

Aries: Relationships, Work, Health Taurus: Love, Kids, Work, Health
Gemini: Home, Family matters, Love, Kids
Cancer: Communications, Travel, Contracts, Home, Family Matters
Leo: Finances, Belongings, Home, Family
Virgo: YOU, Your appearance, Relationships, and Finances
Libra: Your beliefs, Spiritual and Sacrifice Matters, YOU
Scorpio: Friends, Groups, Beliefs, Matters of Spirituality and Sacrifice
Sagittarius: Career, Reputations, Friends, Goals
Capricorn: Travel, Legal matters, Inspiration, Career and Reputation
Aquarius: Sex, Death, Others’ Crises, Money, and Travel, Legal matters
Pisces: Relationships, Sex, Death, Financial matters

www.astrologerphyllis.com

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Affirm What You Want!

You may recall how we love using and sharing positive affirmations with our readers. For those of you that may be new to affirmations, here is a quick description. They are positive statements, usually beginning with the words, "I Am", and used to assist people in transforming negative thought patterns and limiting beliefs into new supportive thoughts and beliefs. It's a lot like reprogramming a computer with new information.

During our Get Up Girl 9-Week Coaching Group, the women in our program develop their own affirmations. We take time to explore what limiting beliefs may be holding them back, and then they create affirmations to support a new way of thinking and being. We are always inspired by how creative and powerful each woman’s affirmations are, so we asked if we could share some of them with our larger Get Up Girl community.

Here are a few to lift and inspire you. Enjoy!

I love and accept myself, I am safe.

I am willing to forgive the past, it’s safe for me to go beyond my parents’ limitations.

I am guided throughout this day in making the right choices.

I have the talent, and the timing is right for me to be successful doing something I love.

I am living in the moment.

I am learning to love myself and others.

My body is beautiful, supple and firm.

I constantly have new insights and new ways of looking at my world.

I am willing to change and grow.

I choose my thoughts with care.

I am financially abundant and free.

I am fulfilled in my career.

I am grateful for my happy and loving relationship.

I am nourishing myself with love.

Feel free to share your affirmations with us, by commenting to this post or emailing us at info@getupgirl.org. We always enjoy learning new affirmations and love hearing from you!

Photo by Margalit Ward

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