The holidays are upon us!
In this season of hustle, bustle and making-merry, it’s so easy to get caught in the busyness! We may find ourselves feeling anything but merry & bright when the holiday finally arrives. Sure, the perfectly wrapped presents, the elaborate dishes and treats, and expertly chosen gifts are great. However it turns out that our loved ones value our presence more than anything else. This year, rather than getting caught up in working for the season, let this time actually serve you.
Here are a few tips to help you be more present this holiday season:
● Cultivate Thankfulness
Gratitude connects us to our surroundings. Take a deep breath and notice what’s around you – the sights, scents and sounds. What’s bringing you joy in that moment? There is always, always something to be thankful for. Start the simple practice of waking up every morning and thinking of one thing you’re grateful for before you even get out of bed.
● Remember the reason for the season & make time to help others
It can be easy for us to get caught up in our own agenda this time of year. Is there someone you can lend a helping hand too? Are there families who are going through a difficult time that you could reach out to? What can you do to keep the reason for the season at the forefront?
● Make peace with letting a ball drop
Does the thought of not getting all your to-dos done stress you out? Being compassionate and kind to yourself will help you more fully enjoy this time of year. Giving yourself permission to drop a ball or scale back a bit might be worth it and help you achieve a more peaceful frame of mind.
● One word: Prioritize
Remember, saying yes to one thing always means saying no to something or someone else. Your energy and time is valuable, so take a couple minutes to sit down and jot down what your priorities are this season. Shake off that guilt if you just don’t have time to do it all and be firm with yourself when you feel the urge to fudge your boundaries.
● Indulge a Little
The holidays are full of so many amazing sights, sounds, and tastes! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying all the delicious treats of the season and enjoying them can be a huge mood booster! Instead of piling your plate with everything in sight, slow down. Choose the dishes you really love, and savor every flavor.
● Take a Break from Social Media
Let technology go. This might be a tough one but relinquish the need to share every holiday experience on social media. Taking a step away from technology allows you to fully experience those moments and make time for new ones. This season, choose to enjoy a couple moments just for you and those with you, instead of hitting share. Our phones take us away, this is a time to be present. Take the photos, capture the moments, but save them for posting later, when the moments have passed and you want to share/relive them.
● Build Intentional Downtime in Your Day
It’s so easy to overcommit. By doing so it means you’re only giving half of your attention to the task or event at hand. When we do this, we are mentally moving ahead to what’s next on the agenda. Instead, plan a couple of bonus unstructured time into your day, whether that’s ten minutes or an hour. You can use that time to step back, catch up on emails, pause for some deep breathing, take a power nap, or sneak away for a refreshing walk outside.
The holidays are meant to be a magical time, so practicing self care even in the hustle and bustle of it all is important, you will be thankful that you did!
Wishing a presence-filled and peaceful holiday to you and yours!