Ahh, the holiday season. Does any other time of year hold such promise yet often deliver such stress? The stress part is optional, and for that reason, I have created these 4 tips to help you navigate these weeks with a little more peace and joy in your heart, consciously creating the holiday season you wish to experience.
Manage your expectations. We are bombarded by images of perfect holiday parties, perfect decorations, perfect holiday dresses, lavish gifts (Look! A brand new car parked in the freshly fallen snow!). Also creating a heightened sense of import is the “specialness” of this time of year. We just want everything to be perfect for our family and friends. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to have a wonderful holiday season, when our expectations are hovering around perfection, we’re in for a disappointment. Whether you’re baking with kids, attending or hosting a party or shopping for gifts, Life is Life and things often don’t go as planned. A helpful strategy is to plan for the best but remain open and accepting of what IS. Resisting what Life has presented in this moment is futile. Also realize that some of the most cherished memories are the ones when something went “wrong.” I’ll take real over perfect any day.
Prioritize invitations and commitments. During the holiday season, there are parties and get-togethers galore, and it’s easy to over-commit. It doesn’t matter so much what it is that keeps our mouth saying yes, when our gut says No!; Whether it’s fomo or a desire to please friends and family, the result is the usually the same: overwhelm, over-tired, stressed and grumpy. There’s another option. Prioritize the events to which you are invited. Ask yourself honestly which ones you truly want to attend, and which ones you’d prefer to sit out. Tradition can bring great meaning to our celebrations, but can also serve as shackles, if the time for a certain tradition has passed. Go within, be honest with yourself, and respond lovingly from that place.
Keep nutrition and exercise on the radar. Let’s face it, holiday weight gain is a thing, and while I’m not recommending you skip all the treats, drinks and awesome food, I do suggest this strategy to balance enjoyment with wellness. What do I mean by keeping nutrition and exercise on the radar? I don’t believe that a few parties over a few weeks is what tanks our health this time of year, but rather the mindset of, “It’s the holidays!” 24/7 that does us in. For nutrition, keep all the non-party meals healthy, with lots of veggies and healthy portion sizes. Hydrate like crazy and don’t eat anything you don’t love. Keep exercise on the radar by setting aside the all or nothing mindset. Just because you can’t hit your favorite HIIT class doesn’t mean you can’t do a 20 minute walk with your dog or a YouTube video in your family room. By keeping nutrition and exercise a part of your daily routine, you will feel better about yourself, and feel better physically, and that makes for a much happier holiday.
Have a daily mindfulness practice. Last, but definitely not least, is having a daily mindfulness practice. If you already meditate or do yoga, continue with your routine. That will serve as an anchor during the holiday hubbub. If not, this is an excellent time to create a simple centering practice to use before you begin your day. It can be a guided meditation, reading from an inspiring spiritual book, sitting quietly while listening to healing Tibetan bowls, or anything that feels good to your soul. Maintaining or creating a practice to “touch base” with the part of you that is eternal, the real you, will provide emotional stability and help you enjoy the holiday season as it presents itself to you.
