The holiday period. A merry and joyful time. However, despite all the jubilation that the Christmas season brings, it also brings about stress and a whole lot of negative feelings. Not to be a downer but successfully celebrating Christmas is a tiring task- from feelings of perfectionism leading to anxiety, to financial pressure, tense family dynamics and the time constraints that come with how short Christmas is, it's no wonder people are left feeling drained, both mentally and physically by the end of the season. Fortunately, mindfulness techniques offer practical tools to help individuals manage stress, stay present in the moment, and enjoy a more peaceful holiday season.
The most obvious and common technique- breathing. When stress begins to mount, taking a few minutes to practice mindful breathing can help keep calm. This is done by sitting quietly and focusing on your breath, taking deep, slow inhales and exhales. This simple technique could help to anchor you. It's quick and effective, being able to be used covertly when dealing with family conflict.
To contrast the previously common technique I'm next going to talk about mindful eating. The holiday season is filled with delicious food and sweet treats, but rather than mindlessly consuming, try and form a deeper bond with your food. Pay attention to the sensory experience of eating—the taste, texture, and smell, and by doing so, afford any feelings of guilt or sadness that comes from overeating.
Gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful mindfulness practice that shifts your focus from what is lacking or stressful to what is positive and abundant in your life. During Christmas, it can be easy to focus on what’s going wrong or the pressures you face. Taking time each day to practice gratitude helps cultivate a mindset of abundance and appreciation, reducing stress and increasing happiness. This can be done through keeping a gratitude journal or simply reflecting over the finer things in life.
And last but not least, the classic-yoga. Movement like this encourages a connection between the body and mind, relieving physical tension and improving overall wellbeing. If yoga isn't your thing, then you'll be pleased to know that any form of bodily movement can act as a stress reliever, with being active releasing your endorphins. So go for a walk, get your groove on, go skipping, walk your pet, anything as long as you're moving.
Remember, Christmas doesn't have to be perfect. Don't get too caught up in aesthetics, what really matters is the time you spend with the people you care about.
Corny, but true.
