Tis the season and fa la la la la la … but a lot of our joy can be robbed this close to Christmas when all we are feeling is stress. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, and super stressed out, why not take a different approach this year and learn to manage yourself more effectively so you can truly enjoy the holidays!
Take A Pause Several Times a Day. Your pause could be 60 seconds, 6 minutes or however long you can make it. The idea is to give your busy brain a break and take some deep breaths. That one act alone can be a huge stress reducer and reset.
Prioritize and Make a Plan. The plan can be one day at a time, but it should include tasks that are necessary vs. those that you hope to accomplish. Look to prioritize and then practice letting go of the little things that you might not get to.
Get Out in Nature. Whether you leave your house or office and take a walk around the neighborhood, walk in a park, or make time for a hike on a local trail, time in nature is restorative. It naturally helps us to feel better and is a beautiful natural stress release.
Lean into Your Tribe of Support. You might choose to call a friend you have not seen in awhile and invite them to have coffee. If you only have 45 minutes to spend, that’s ok. Let them know that a short visit seemed better than going another 3 months and not seeing them at all. Also, consider at home which family members might help take some of the load off you by helping with cooking, laundry or other household chores to free you up for holiday prep.
Lead with your Values. While that may seem obvious, there’s nothing like the chaos of work, family and holiday preparations that can derail us from what really matters. Use this time to remind yourself of your values and ensure that your to do list is in alignment with those values. Reflect on why you celebrate Christmas or other holiday. When it’s all over, what do you want to stand out? Is it the number of gifts everyone got, or the joy in the faces of the family around you? Decide now what you want the focus of your celebration to be.
Life is stressful. If we just run mindlessly through what we think is expected of us and just go through the motions, we will not be joy filled at a time that offers so much hope, love and peace for those who seek it.
Be intentional and reflective as you strive to take care of yourself during this busy season, so that you can be present- which is the greatest gift you can give.
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