The holiday season is a time when people come together. It can be full of joyous memories, delicious food and loved ones. But for many of us, no matter how balanced or happy our life may be – the holidays are STILL stressful.
The truth is there is so much food to prepare and eat. There are so many parties to attend. And somehow each year, there are more presents to buy and more holiday sales to entertain our consumer desires. All of these plans and expectations spin in our mind as we reflect on what used to be, what could have been and how we will be better next year.
As wonderful as this time of year can be, it can also be very overwhelming.
So how do we get through the season mindfully?
Here are a few ideas.
- Let Go: A lot of stress comes when we are trying to control the outcome of a situation. The reality is the only control we have is over our own reactions. Remind yourself of this when you burn the bread or when a family argument arises. Practice being happy – no matter what happens.
- Listen: Practice listening without judgment. Notice the thoughts that arise. Instead of being critical be curious. Don’t think about what you will say next. Many of us never really listen. And many of us really need to be heard.
- Practice Appreciation: We will talk more about this in next week’s blog post. But I am big believer that gratitude can provide perspective. Instead of wishing it was different, see what is there and appreciate it just as it is.
You can’t tackle these all at once. And some will work better for you than others. So pick one. And during the next holiday gathering make it your mission to fulfill this task.
Stay tuned next week for Gratitude Practices!
Blessings,
Dr. Chris Michaels
Mindful Monday is a weekly practice provided by Dr. Chris Michaels. The intention of #MindfulMonday is to provide the world with a moment of pause and reflection. This mindful moment connects us to what really matters. Stay tuned each week on our site, Facebook and Twitter to find Mindful Monday! Want to read more now? Check out last week’s post!