As the holiday season descends upon us, it is no surprise that many people begin to feel an increase in stress. Maybe you are feeling pressure or concern about family get-togethers or perhaps you really miss your family and you won’t see them this year. For some, holidays bring up some not so jolly memories from the past. Add shopping, decorating, traveling, traffic and financial concerns to this mix and it is clear how some people can feel a mix of anxiety, frustration, and depression during the holidays.
Despite what has caused these feelings, practicing mindfulness can help soften these difficult emotions. When we get \”stuck in our heads\” and overthink things, we miss out on what is really happening, often failing to enjoy the good stuff. Remaining mindful and present will allow you to enjoy the festivities and participate in a positive way without getting bogged down by these difficult emotions.
Here are a few ways that you can practice mindfulness and stay present this holiday season:
- Stop and take a deep breath. It may seem obvious, but how many times a day do you actually do that? Try it now.
- Notice what is going on inside your body. Notices areas of tightness, weakness, tension or pressure.
- Notice what you are feeling and allow yourself to feel it. What do you need? When we are stressed, anxious, or depressed, rarely do we stop and ask ourselves how we are actually feeling. Acknowledging it and allowing it to speak its message is incredibly powerful and healing. It may seem counterintuitive, but ignoring the feeling actually gives it fuel to grow. Acknowledging it often encourages it to dissipate.
- Set an intention for what you want this holiday season to be about. Do you want to be fully present while spending time with your children and family? Do you want to show your spouse you are grateful for them? Even one, small intention, based on something you feel deeply about, will change the way you experience this holiday season.
I hope these tips will help you stay more mindful during the holidays and allow you to enjoy them just a little more. Happy Holidays!
