Holiday season is here which also means if you weren’t already stressed. You are probably going to be. Below is a survival guide to help you through the holiday season.
As a therapist, I recommend to all of clients to make sure they take time for themselves. To do some grounding and not get carried away with “the crazy holiday season”. Below are some simple suggestions that take only a few minutes, and can make the difference between tolerating the end-of-the-year hoopla vs. enjoying it.
- Walking meditation. Step outside and go for a walk. Notice your feet touching the ground, and pay attention to how the surface feels. Imagine the earth below that surface and your feet connecting with it. Hear and feel the crunching of the leaves or the soft snow beneath your feet. Maybe even put on some headphones and listen to soothing music.
- Mindful shower.Water is not only cleansing but healing. As you stand in the shower, feel the sensation of the water hitting the top of your head and your face, neck, and shoulders. Feel how warm and cleansing the water feeling. Feel your muscles relaxing. Imagine your worries washing away.
- Stretch or exercise.Five or ten minutes of gentle stretching or moderate exercise is all it takes to shift your mind out of your head. Go outdoors, if possible. The fresh air (even if it’s very cold!) does wonders. Unsure of what stretches to do? YouTube is full of helpful short videos of stretches. Simple search “neck and shoulder stretches” or “back stretches”.
- Listen to your favorite tunes.Put on your headphones, start your favorite playlist and let yourself enjoy your favorite tunes. Maybe even do a little dance 😊
- Breathe.Inhale to a count of three and exhale to a count of three for 30 seconds. Repeat as often as you like. You can do this while walking or sitting to help calm and center yourself. Make sure to breathe with your diaphragm. For those of you with kids it’s also referred to as “belly breathing”.
I recommend doing one of these at least daily, sometimes more than one if needed.
Enjoy!