How to Be stress free and mindful during the Holidays
The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone, and even more so after the events that have overhauled our lives over the past year and a half. When you have the responsibility of decorating, cooking, hosting, and gift buying it is easy to become overwhelmed especially for moms.
Having these issues arise around the most joyful times of they year can steal the holiday spirit. However, there are a few small things that you can change to help make this time less stressful.
What is Mindfulness?
It sounds complicated, but it really isn’t! Mindfulness is simply the act of focusing on the present moment you are in. You take out the judgment, regret, or guilt, and simply accept what is. The more you can be mindful during the holidays (and the rest of the year), the more grateful and stress-free you become.
1. Why Mindfulness During the Holidays Can Be Difficult
While I recommend that everyone practice mindfulness year around, it is important to understand challenges we may face on the journey.
What makes the holidays such a Challenge?
Understanding where the stress comes from helps you to know where to focus on improving your mindfulness this time of year.
So much to do, so little time – With so much to do and the holiday rush it is important to plan ahead. Planning will allow you to have an overview of everything you need to do. From there you can strategically plan dates and times to get things done instead of rushing at the last minute or taking on too much at one time. You can also better delegate tasks to other people if needed.
Choose a simple yet effect planner like this Holiday one here
Financial issues – Many people do feel the struggle of figuring out how to pay for decorations, gifts, parties, traveling, and other holiday expenses. Set a budget, write out the price for EVERYTTHING and then price match in stores and online. There’s nothing like finding items on sale and at a discount.
I enjoy getting cashback on my purchases especially during the holidays. I use Rakuten cashback and its as simple as signing up, installing the app on your browser toolbar and activating cashback every time you shop at no additional costs.
Sign up with my link here and get $40 after a $40 or more purchase you were going to make anyway!
The expectations are different from reality – Mindfulness really comes into play when you have done everything on your list and everything may not have gone exactly as planned.
The question, “ How cam Mindfulness Can Help me”? is probably running through your mind.
Exercising mindfulness during the holidays helps you stay grounded. It allows you to stay present to just enjoy the moments you get with your family, friends, spouse and children.
Seize the moment – Think of every moment you live as a gift. Let’s be real, it might not always be what you expect, it may not always be perfect but the holiday season is not about achieving perfection. Gratitude is the name of the game. Enjoy your friends, family, children and spouse.
Memories become treasures – Continuous aims at perfection causes the loss of creating tangible memories. Shift your focus to creating meaningful conversations, taking family photos, eating together, playing games and more.
2. How to Stay Present in the Middle of Chaos and Stress
It seems almost impossible, doesn’t it? In the mist of everything you may be dealing with try to find gratitude in the chaos even if it is just one thing. With just a few simple techniques and mindset shifts, you can be more mindful during the holidays:
- Practice Beforehand
- Create a morning or night routine
- Journal your thoughts
- Release Judgment and guilt
- Have Mindful Meals
- Focus on the Moment, Not the Big Picture
3. The aftermath
Once you have mastered being mindful during the stressful holiday season, it will become even easier to continue on with the habit. What better time than to continue into the new year.
Using Mindfulness for Your Resolutions
Many people choose resolutions for the new year. It is important to choose things that spark joy for you and not just what you think you should have based on common resolutions. Take time to be in tune with yourself and make a conscious decision on what you want to work towards the next year.
This is where mindfulness is going to be really useful.
A question for you – What are you thinking about the most right now? What is bringing you joy? What is stressing you out? Being mindful NOW is what is going to help form resolutions in the future.
Being Mindful Year-Round
After the holidays remember to: keep taking pauses, enjoying present moments, giving gratitude, and enjoying your life. The more you learn to be mindful during each of those moments in your life, the happier you will be.
