Winter is the time for introspection and reflection. The activity of the harvest is over and it’s time to rest. However, in the modern world, holidays are often frantic and stressful. If we can focus on the things that bring us joy, holidays can be fun as we make time for family and friends. Here are a few tips that you probably have heard before but are always good to keep in mind during this time of the year.
1. Remember the Good Times—Holidays are for celebrating life. Take time to stop the daily routine and smell the roses (or the snow) and appreciate the blessings of life. If you start feeling stressed, breathe and think of a positive memory of the holiday or event. One happy memory leads to another.
2. Limit Your Choices or Activities.—Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to do it all. Choose if you want to decorate, go caroling, host a party, or even go to one. No apologies necessary for what makes you happy. Save your energy for the best of engagement with family and friends. Reducing your holiday activity level will reduce your stress and increase your happiness.
3. Eat healthy and avoid too much sugar—We see scads of ads for too much food during the Holidays, much of it laden with fats or sugar. I’m not advocating we become monks. On Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, Solstice or whatever holiday you celebrate, enjoy the wonderful traditional foods of your culture or family or other cultures around.
Health experts warn that depression, anxiety, ADD, diabetes, high blood pressure and a variety of other health and emotional disorders increase during the holidays due to the increased intake of sweets and fats consumed over the course of the 6-8 week period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. So, tighten your resolve, enjoy the special days but eat well of the good fruits, veggies and healthy foods the rest of the time and you’ll feel a lot better during and after the holidays too.
4. Relax and avoid the crowds—Crowded highways, crowded shops, crowded streets, crowded restaurants, loud noise and music contribute to high stress levels. Not having sufficient space for our energy field makes us irritable, nervous and uncomfortable. During this time meditate or find a quiet time daily especially if you are busier than normal. Quietness and calm is at a premium during the holidays. Make time for yourself.
5. Extend love—Volunteer at the food bank, help serve Hanukkah, Kwanza, or Christmas dinner at your church, synagogue, the homeless shelter or other organization. Invite an elderly, single newcomer or homeless person to dinner. Donate to a non-profit organization particularly one t hat has touched your heart or has supported you in some way this year. Invite a relative you have not spoken to in years to a gathering and try to mend a relationship. It’s all about love.
Holidays are about heart. Opening our hearts expands our love, joy and happiness. Sometimes a little pain, tears and sorrow comes in too. If we stop the busyness and find the stillness, we can find joy in the holidays.
