In general, the holidays are a stressful time for many people. The “most wonderful time of the year” can bring about a lot of stress, loneliness, painful memories, feelings of loss, and even self-criticism for not feeling “good” or meeting the expectations we’ve set for ourselves.
Factor in the insane levels of commercialism and distorted media programming that creates unrealistic expectations about how things should be…
Plus, we have long to-do lists, busy schedules with work, buying gifts, and other obligations and expectations that keep us on the move.
Needless to say, there are plenty of sweet and rich treats to choose from. unhealthy Food choices that tend to be associated with “happy holidays.”
Even with the best intentions, the holidays can leave you feeling stressed, burned out, and exhausted.
The good news is… being aware of the potential challenges and pitfalls that can arise during the holiday season can help you avoid them.
Sometimes, all it takes is a slight shift in perspective to transform the holidays from a hectic and difficult time into one that can be truly loved and enjoyed in the most positive light.
Remember to look for the blessings within and around you…
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And rather than exhausting yourself trying to meet unrealistic expectations or have the “perfect” Thanksgiving or Christmas…
This holiday season, it’s time to cultivate loving moments with friends and family, let your true self shine, or simply Embody Christ Consciousness in all you do!
And to do that…you must make taking care of yourself a priority!
On that note…
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Here are nine ways to enhance your self-care this holiday season.
1. Cultivate gratitude
Cultivating gratitude is so important, when you consciously focus your mind and attention on what you are grateful for not only does it shift your attraction point and raise your vibration, it also makes you feel so much better.
Ask yourself, “What am I grateful for?”
Reflect on this and write out a long list of the things you are grateful for, big and small.
Also, make sure to practice gratitude pep talks on a regular basis, especially when you’re feeling down, depressed, or stressed.
2. Make time for meditation
If you feel like you don’t have time to meditate, change your perspective and realize that you actually don’t have time not to meditate.
Meditation is one of the scientifically proven ways to boost your immunity, lower stress levels, and increase your sense of happiness, so don’t skip meditation just because you’re busy.
Taking even just 10 minutes at the start of your day to center your energy, clear your thoughts, and fill yourself with light can go a long way in helping you feel more balanced, positive, and full of love for those you care about.
Fill yourself with light and life force energy and share lots of love and vitality.
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3. Exercise
If you’re on vacation or have a busy schedule… prioritize exercise and doing something that will energize your body and get your energy flowing.
Whatever form of exercise you enjoy… notice how much better you feel when you take time for yourself and exercise.
Exercise has been proven to relieve stress and boost your mood. Go for a walk, take a yoga class, or go to the gym. Jump on the rebounder (My new favorite daily exercise)…
Remember, exercise is an important part of self-care: making time for exercise will make you feel better on every level – body, mind, and spirit.
4. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep!
The holiday season definitely messes with people’s sleep schedules…maybe it’s because of late-night drinking, eating sweet, fatty or chocolatey foods, or just having too much to do and thinking too much in the middle of the night.
Recognize the importance of good quality sleep to your mental, physical and emotional health and make it one of your top priorities.
Explaining how to get a good night’s sleep could take up an entire article, but here are a few tips:
Meditate before bed to help you relax…
Try to cut down on your caffeine intake and eliminate it completely at the end of the day…
Avoid snacks or leftovers before bedtime…
If you can’t sleep at night, try to avoid napping as much as possible. Also, if you feel tired during the day, try going for a walk or doing some exercise instead of napping, so that you can sleep well through the night and wake up refreshed every morning.
5. Feel your emotions!
The holiday season tends to bring up a variety of difficult emotions in people…
Humans commonly try to hide or avoid it, so acknowledge this and be okay with feeling it, knowing that it is here for you to honor, heal, and release.
Pay attention and look at the root of your emotions. Are you resentful of your partner because you felt unsupported in holiday preparations? Are you grieving the loss of a family member or friend?
Awareness is key. The more you are aware, the less toxic or challenging the emotion is. You can stop the emotional spiral and love the part of yourself that has been triggered. Then you can heal, release, integrate or let go.
So instead of trying to stifle your emotions with food, alcohol and instant gratification, which are only temporary band-aids with mixed results…
Allow yourself to feel the emotions that arise within you. Love and observe the parts of you that feel anger, stress, sadness, fear. Feel and honor your emotions and consciously choose to heal, release, let go…
Learn a simple process for powerful emotional healing here!
6. Stay in the moment
The holiday season can definitely feel like a busy time…
It’s easy to get caught up and carried away if you’re not mindful, so make a conscious effort to be present and enjoy the moment.
For example, if you’re cooking Christmas dinner, give yourself the gift of being completely present in the moment you’re cooking. Stop dwelling on what may or may not have happened in the past, and let go of any worries or anxieties about the future — instead of worrying about whether people will like what you’re making or wondering how the rest of the evening will unfold.
Be present while you cook – enjoy the smells, the sounds, and enjoy the moment.
And when it’s time to eat, savor the moment…
Stay fully present, aware and centered in the here and now moment.
7. Let go of your expectations
Another component of staying in the present moment is letting go of unrealistic expectations of how things should be, look, feel…
Instead, choose to enjoy things as they are.
When it comes to Christmas in particular, there is a lot of media coverage about what the perfect holiday should be…
Let go of your expectations and matrix programming of what Christmas should be…
You will open your heart and find joy and gratitude for the blessings in your life.
8. Make healthy food choices
The holidays are known as a time to indulge in rich foods, sweet treats, and possibly large portions of food.
I’m not saying you should avoid all those delicious holiday treats…
But respect your body, cultivate a healthy balance between holiday sweets and treats, and make intentional choices about healthy foods that nourish your body.
Remember, things like sugar, processed foods and alcohol lower your vibration and stress the physical body, so if you do decide to indulge a little, how do you balance it out by making choices that are healthy for your mind, body and soul?
Some ideas:
Don’t forget to stay hydrated! Be careful, alcohol can cause dehydration.
Check in with yourself to see if you’re actually hungry or if you’re snacking because of stress.
Awareness is key: Before you down your next glass of wine, notice how your body feels—and consider mixing it with a glass of sparkling water instead.
The key here is to find and cultivate a balance between enjoying your favorite holiday foods and drinks and honoring your body.
9. Prioritize your schedule
Do you tend to overdo it during the holidays? Trying to please everyone?
Remember, running until you’re exhausted isn’t doing you, or ultimately anyone, any favors… If you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything that’s coming up or happening, try centering your mind and asking yourself what activities, gatherings, and relationships you should prioritize this holiday season.
Which of these truly energize you and add value to your life, and which can you omit or let go?
Give yourself permission to say “no” and instead of scheduling every moment, allow yourself downtime to just relax and allow the magic of the holidays to truly unfold.
If you’re feeling extra busy, make sure you schedule time in to relax, recharge, and recharge.
Remember, when you love and take care of yourself, you will have much more energy to give to others.
Happy Holidays!
love,
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