The holiday season is a busy time and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Find tips to practice mindfulness and overcome holiday stress.
We could all use presence and mindfulness during the upcoming holiday season. With so many things to do you can end up feeling overwhelmed. So, I have put together a few tips and ideas to overcome holiday stress and keep your sanity. Another article I wrote earlier may help you too: Surviving Holiday Gatherings.
We get so wrapped up in the to-do list that it becomes easy to be short with people. I think we all have a few family members that can push our buttons at times. So, here are a few things to keep in mind as we enter the holiday season. Enjoy and take in as much as you can. January will be here before you know it.
Remember to Breathe
Many times, we get stressed out from family, shopping, or extra cooking and forget to pay attention to our breathing. Take a few moments and center your mind on your breath. By going within, you can keep your mind focused on the tasks at hand. Remembering to breathe can also clear your thoughts enough to keep you from saying something you may later regret if tensions within your family are running high.
Be Present
We have many parts of our holiday gatherings that we love. There may also be parts that we would love to change. Focus on being present with the parts that make you feel good and feel connected. Do you have a favorite activity that you do every year? Rather than just going through the motions, be present with as many aspects as you can and engage yourself.
Also stay in the present moment. All too often we start thinking about what happened in a past year or about what will change in the future. Looking at the past or future just leads to unnecessary stress. By staying in the present moment you can enjoy your visits and activities a lot more.
Noticing
If you are visiting a relative’s home, notice and observe. Take in the decorations and find something that you connect to. Is there a decoration you have always admired? Tell them and give them a compliment! Notice how everything feels and the atmosphere of the home.
Notice what your body is telling you too. Your body is always giving you feedback. Turn down that party and take a night off instead.
Practice Mindfulness
Being mindful helps us stay in control when it comes to indulging in food or drink. There always seems to be a lot of extra high sugar and high calorie foods around that tempt us. Enjoy your favorites but allow yourself to pass on some of the extras. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and what you have learned about your body from the past. If dairy products bother you during the year, they will still bother you during the holidays.
Chakra balancing is another way to stay mindful and in the present moment.
Allow Joy and Happiness
Allow yourself to experience joy and happiness. The best way to do this? Start with yourself and share your joy and happiness with others. Be the one that lifts others up and find that feeling of joy returning to you.
Your Special Meditation Gift
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We don’t invite relatives, They all have families of their own, and have dinner at their homes… They just call no one lives is out of town.
As to tips, besides meditate before and after (helps aide in digestion). I would say don’t take the task on, on your own. Get others in there to help either serve or bring something, or cleanup. If this is new announce it before the holiday or when they are there, give them tasks to do to make it easier on you. — Also there are many options now day as to how to do dinner, one is at the table, one is buffet style (allowing kids to go first helps or have one parent get said childs plate), This too helps.
One other thing, not conventional, but they are making paper and styrofoam plates (Microwaveable) with fancy designs that don’t cost alot, foam cups too. Why not go that route and save on dishes and utensils. — It doesn’t make you cheap or seem lacking if people wonder explain to them it takes some of the load off to have it done this way.
Most importantly LOVE very important, if you normally don’t get along (or have that one member…) it’s one day to get together send them some love, be nice they might be think something is up but you will be able to smile in your heart knowing you sent good their direction, how they handle it, not in your control. — For anyone who is religious or semi religious, instead of just one little prayer and amen (also if you are or are not religious), go around the table, have people say what they are thankful for and if someone gives a rude, or off hand or non positive remark, you know more who to send that little extra prayer and love to.
~Peace, Light & Love~ to all of you and a safe & Happy Thanksgiving!!! <3
I nominated your for The Sunshine Award. If you want to find out more and participate, check out my post: (link no longer valid) From Karel & Michael from Living Towards Love