Whether you are hosting or an attendee, the holidays can be stressful for anyone! , especially if you have a lot of responsibilities or experiencing financial hardship.
Unfortunately, this can take the joy out of the holiday season, regardless of which holiday you celebrate. However, with Mindfulness, you can learn how to self-regulate and live in the moment. It allows you to appreciate cherishable moments and enjoy yourself again.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is all about being present. Of course, this is easier said than done, but you take out the negative feelings like judgment, regret, or guilt and accept what is as it is. The more you can be mindful during the holidays (and really the rest of the year), the more grateful and stress-free you become.
1. Why are we primarily stressed during the holiday season?
Growing up, many of us didn’t have any responsibilities, so it’s synonymous with many things we didn’t experience day-to-day. No school, curfews being relaxed, seeing our friends and cousins all holiday break, eating our favorite foods, and we get gifts all within a two-week time frame? Sounds magical! But then, we grow up, and things begin to change. This doesn’t have to be a negative change, but for many, that is what it becomes.
So much to do, so little time! – And often with very little time. You still have your other responsibilities on top of the numerous things you have to juggle during the holidays.
Money is tight – Many struggle to figure out how to pay for decorations, gifts, parties, traveling, and other holiday expenses.
Reality may not meet your expectations – Even after you work hard to make everything perfect, it doesn’t always turn out how you planned. This is where Mindfulness really comes in handy.
2. Ways Mindfulness Can Help You
Let’s be honest; you probably feel like this yearly. But being mindful helps you set these expectations aside so you can experience this magical season with your loved ones.
You learn to let it be – Every life experience is a gift. Sure, these experiences may not always be good, but that makes us all unique and the moments even more special! So instead, it is about being with your loved ones, making new memories, and being thankful for what you have.
Enjoy slow living – Taking a pause, and reflecting before reacting is a great way to stay present during the busiest time of the year.
Memories are treasured – If you’re only focused on ticking your to-do checklist, you will miss everything. You’ll only remember running errands, prepping, and how you felt trying to do all the things. I bet you’d rather cherish memories of your kids or memories made from reconnecting with your favorite relatives and friends instead.
3. How to Stay Present during the holiday hustle
I know you may think this is impossible, but with practice, you can do this. For example, the holiday season is during the same time every year. So you can learn to live in the moment with a little planning without wrecking your nerves.
Start Early – Don’t wait until the week of Thanksgiving to start surveying your feelings. Instead, start a few weeks prior! Start by sitting in peace without any distractions and narrowing in on whatever you are doing at that time. It might mean journaling about your day, savoring your meal without the TV, or taking a walk enjoying the fall foliage. If you can, also start preparing early. Shop for your holiday ingredients at least one week before. Set up your tablescape 1-2 days before your relatives arrive. Test recipes 2-3 weeks in advance so they’re perfected by Thanksgiving.
Release Judgment – A huge part of Mindfulness is letting go of judgment and guilt. This is not just releasing judgment on others, yourself, and the situations you find yourself in during the holiday season. Stop worrying about how you look, if the food is good enough, if the venue is perfect, and what others are experiencing. These negative thought patterns will make it very difficult to be mindful and appreciate the present moment.
Take a Pause – Being mindful is all about taking a pause. It is easy to fret over what went wrong, the remaining to-dos, and comparing your holiday to others online. Instead, pause when you find your mind racing. Sit alone in the quiet for a while until you can pep yourself up. Yes, go to your car for a few minutes, or sit in the bathroom!
Focus on the now, Not long term – Lastly, remember to be present in these moments, not think about the long term. It isn’t about having the perfect Christmas memory, but each little thing that made your Christmas memorable.
4. Mindfulness after the holiday hustle
Once you make it through the holiday season, you can practice mindfulness during other stressful times, such as planning vacations, birthdays, and your job. Keep pausing, relishing the moments, expressing gratitude, and enjoying your life. The more you can be mindful during this time, the happier you will be. Here are some ways to remain cognizant after the holidays and into the new year.
Focus on the now – What are you thinking about the most at this moment? What is bringing you joy? What is stressing you out? Being mindful NOW is what can help you figure out what resolutions will help you in the future.
Continue being non-judgmental– Mindfulness allows you to live and learn while giving yourself grace. Continue this year-round, and think of goals for the year that make you happy instead of making up for lessons you believe you failed.
I hope these tips help you incorporate mindfulness in your life year round! How do you incorporate mindfulness into your day-to-day?
