Here are some thoughts for coping with the holiday season.

1. Take time for yourself - There may be pressure to be everything to everyone. Remember that you're only one person and can only accomplish certain things. Sometimes self-care is the best thing you can do-others will benefit when you're stress-free. Go for a long walk, get a massage or take time out to listen to your favorite music or read a new book. All of us need some time to recharge our batteries-by slowing down you will actually have more energy to accomplish your goals.

Carolyn Hildebrandt, Purdue Extension Educator, Health and Human Sciences, will present “Keep Your Brain Fit” at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso, IN. This program will teach what we can do to improve our mental alertness and mental stability. In today’s society more and more emphasis is placed on physical wellbeing, but we need to also improve our brain health. Participants will learn some simple steps that can be taken to improve brain power and gain a new perspective on life.

Following this program, you are invited to attend “Nourish Your Brain” at 2:00 pm presented by Corinne Powell, Purdue Extension Educator, Health and Human Sciences. Just like your car, your brain needs fuel to work efficiently. Learn how our daily food and fitness habits can make a difference in the aging process and how consuming a well-balanced diet can benefit you.

Sticking our own balance and bring in harmony with yourself brings psychological benefits. The benefits can be seen through our actions and are key to having good rapport with people we come in contact with.

Bottom line, when we are well and feel good, our temperament and disposition follow naturally. This even includes a better relationship with our environment.

When we are well, we are more efficient and effective. We tend to RESPOND rather than REACT. We are actually more capable of making complex decisions because our concentration and resistance to stress is improved.

Last year my good friend Natalie Danko wrote 26.2 reasons why she ran the 2010 Chicago Marathon on 10-10-10. This year she will be turning 30 and happiness is surrounding her life now!

Congratulations to all of the 2011 Chicago Marathon Runners!

Written by Natalie Danko

At 25, I set a goal to run a marathon before I turned 30. I wanted my first marathon to be Chicago. I almost threw that goal away because my life was turned upside down. It took one 5k race with my sister and best friend to realize I had to run it. It would have been much easier to say that I would do this another time when life settles down. But I refused to let life get in the way. I refused to let some else’s actions get in the way of my goals. I ran that marathon because I had to. I had to take charge of my life and running that marathon was the first step in the right direction.

Mile 1
For Ella…because you are the beginning of this all. YOU are ME. You are this crazy little person that reminds me of who I was and what I strive to get back to! And because it goes without saying I LOVE YOU!!