Self-care can avoid holiday blues.

For many, the break in everyday diet and exercise routines, combined with the stress of added personal and social commitments during the holiday season, may lead to weight gain and burnout. To help learn whether you are maintaining a state of wellness, IDEA, the international association of fitness professionals offers the following "Holiday Self-Care" questionnaire:

l. Do you eat health foods and drink healthy beverages?

2. Are you careful not to be obsessive about exercise or eating?

3. Do you plan personal and/or self-care time into your schedule? Preschedule "dates" to do things that bring you pleasure. Taking a bubble bath, meditating, reading, getting a massage, or sitting in the whirlpool are activities that give you time for reflection as well as rejuvenation.

4. Do you have truly supportive friends who accept you for who you are and encourage your personal development?

5. Do you get enough rest and sleep? Too many social obligations at this time of year can be stressful. Learn to say no gracefully and extend this freedom to others as well.

6. Do you play? Not every activity has to be measured by productivity. Some things are worth doing for the sheer pleasure they give you.

7. Do you seek positive relationships at every encounter?

8. Do you have interests outside your primary career?

9. Are you releasing the need to judge others? Judging hinders love and reflects a lack of self-acceptance.

10. Do you ever take vacations or time off?

11. Do you meditate, pray, or spend silent time paying attention to your inner life?

12. Do you explore the meaning of life?

13. Do you...