This time of year it is especially important to take excellent care of ourselves. The flurry of the holidays mixed with end of year work commitments can tax our physical and emotional wellbeing when we aren’t paying attention to ourselves. Yes, this is a time of giving, of thinking of others, but that doesn’t mean we forget ourselves. When thinking of others, making or buying gifts, or hosting a holiday gathering, remember this rule of thumb…for each kindness you extend to someone else, do a kindness for yourself. And when greeting the holidays head on keep these 5 tips in mind.
Let go of expectations you might have for others to fit your vision for the holidays. This one thing can lighten your experience of the holidays significantly, and brighten the lives of others at the same time. If you are hosting family or friends during the holidays you can set the stage, but the rest is improvisational. You can have a vision for decorating your house, setting the ambiance, and making the food for a holiday party, but you cannot control your guests’ experience. Sometimes a party or family gathering will go smoothly and beautifully, and other times it might not. You can do your part and the rest is up to the guests. The key is enjoying your part without imposing an expectation on others to feel the same way you do.
Take one thing at a time. For many of us, the to-do lists during the holidays can seem monumental especially when regular life is still going on. The secret is to do one thing at a time, mindfully focused until it is accomplished. Believe it or not, this is more effective, time saving, and certainly more calming than multitasking.
Take the time to notice the moment. If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed chances are you are ruminating about something that is not happening right this minute. Sometimes, more often than I would like to admit, my mind races with “what ifs” or “to do” thoughts that weigh heavy on my heart and head. When this happens I close my eyes and tune into the moment, listening for all the sounds around me, noticing the warmth of my hand resting on my leg as I sit comfortably, and letting the noisy thoughts in my head become more and more distant until I no longer hear them. And I say to myself, “No matter what, everything is going to be alright.”
Remember to breathe. I say this all the time; probably because it is something I need to remind myself to do more often. I know it sounds funny to remind ourselves to breathe since our bodies do it automatically, but the truth is many of us hold our breath when we are anxious, or we breathe too fast and don’t get the full cleansing and rejuvenating benefit that mindful breathing can give us. Once an hour or more, breathe deeply into your belly to the count of 5 or more, and hold it for the count of 2, then let it out slowly to the count of 5. Do this for a full minute, during which you should have about 4-5 deep cleansing breaths. This can clear your mind, lift your spirits, give you inspiration, and give you the perfect 1 minute break an hour that you might need to stay healthy in mind and body.
Make room for quiet time each day to meditate, pray or just be. You can run your life or you can let it run you. The latter inevitably can lead to burn out, anxiety and depression. To get ahead of that, take a micro-mini vacation for 10 or more minutes a day, or several times a day. Find a quiet place, close your eyes and allow your thoughts and the sounds all around you to float past like bubbles in the breeze, letting them fade away in the distance for a little while. Then just breathe and listen, nothing more is necessary. Let yourself just be.