Mindfulness has become trendy and for good reason.
The holidays are a wonderful time to slow down, rest and enjoy time with family and friends. Yet, the reality for most people is an overly busy season filled with stress. This year has been completely different and unpredictable, so the Holidays may look a lot different than we are used to. Give yourself a stress free holiday!
We all need to practice being more aware of why we do what we do and what we are thinking. This season, just slow down and take it day by day.
DAY 1
What we do and who we are begins in our thought life. How we think about ourselves and others affects almost every part of our day and impacts our closest relationships. Being mindful isn’t only for a select few. we all need to learn to slow our thoughts down and make sure we are thinking on things that are true and uplifting.
LEARN TO SLOW DOWN your thinking. Set aside 10 minutes of your time today to take inventory of your thoughts. Can you pinpoint a thought that may be unhelpful? Work towards replacing it with a productive positive thought.
DAY 2
Learn to practice gratitude instead of focusing on what you don’t have. When you look at the glass half full you begin to train your mind to see life through a different lens. This time of the year can bring with it a lot of grumbling. Let us end this year on a positive note. You survived all that came at you unexpectedly and you should be grateful for that.
MAKE A LIST of all the things in your life that you are grateful for. Think small and think big. A hot cup of coffee, your family, food on the table, the ability to walk and do things. Look at your list every morning and add at least one more thing!
DAY 3
Did you know that stress is the underlying cause of 80% of medical issues? Loss of control often leads to stress and this year has been one for the books. Holidays can often be full of pressure but don’t let that be the story this year! Give yourself the gift of a stress free holiday season.
Take time today to DO A STRESS INVENTORY. Make an appointment with yourself or a trusted friend. Sit down with a notepad and write out any areas of your life where you are experiencing stress. Once you have your list, take time to think through each item. Is the stress self-induced, an issue of control or are you just too busy?
DAY 4
Now that you are more mindful of what is causing stress in your life, it is time to think through what can be done.
EVALUATE your priorities. You may need to invest more in some areas and less in others. What activities relax you and bring joy into your life? Make a plan to incorporate simple things into your day-to-day life. If the thought of trying to manage your stress, stresses you out, then you may need some extra support. Talk to a friend, a family member or get help from a nutritionist or a naturopath.
DAY 5
Deep breathing is proven to reduce feelings of stress. It forces your mind and body to slow down and enter into a brief state of rest. If shopping overwhelms you this time of the year, take some time to do deep breathing exercises before you get to the stores. Start exercising, do yoga, or meditation, have a hot cocoa or a relaxing herbal tea.
INHALE DEEPLY through your nose, expanding your abdomen, pause your breath and then exhale slowly, as you relax your body. Do it for a few minutes until you feel your body and mind relax.
DAY 6
One of the best ways to introduce mindfulness in your life is through meditation. Meditation does not have to take long nor does it have to include anything you are not comfortable with. Research shows wonderful benefits for both your body and brain when you meditate. The simplest form of meditation is just sitting still and focusing on your breathing, letting your constant stream of thoughts just slowly fade away.
While you FOCUS ON RELAXING YOUR BODY your mind is able to take a break. Go through your breathing exercises again and this time try it laying down, dim the lights. Notice how your abdomen rises and falls. Notice the flow of your breath as you exhale. Focus while you pause. Now try and relax your feet, legs, arms and your head.
DAY 7
Giving and receiving gifts is a pleasure that many people around the world do not have the privilege of. If buying gifts make you cringe, puts you in debt or makes you resentful, you really need to reconsider why you are doing it in the first place. If gift giving is something on your to do list, make sure it is fun and brings you joy.
BE MINDFUL OF WHY YOU ARE GIVING and mindful of what you are giving. Simple gifts that are thoughtful can be just as welcomed as extravagant expensive gifts. I don’t know about you but I would be more happy to open a card with my favorite chocolate bar over many other things. I’m sure you have a few friends or family members who you know of that they would rather get a thoughtful gift, a homemade gift maybe, over something crazy expensive.
DAY 8
Mindful eating is especially important this time of the year. Many of us eat too fast, while standing up or while driving. we are filling our bellies but are never really satisfied. when we eat slow our brain has time to feel full and we eat less. when we chew our food properly it can be digested easier, allowing our body to absorb the nutrients.
Enjoy having treats this season, don’t feel guilty about them! Just don’t eat so much that you can’t move. Give yourself time to EAT SLOWLY, savoring every last bite. Enjoy the cookies that grandma made, that chocolate that you got as a gift and take time to enjoy it with someone else!
DAY 9
Be mindful of disappointments. For some people, this year has been a wonderful time to slow down, and if that’s you, enjoy it. For others, this year has been filled with disappointments too many to bear. we need to be mindful of disappointments in life, they can add up pretty quickly and before we know it, we are consumed by them.
ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISAPPOINTMENTS you have faced this year and how they made you feel. Find someone to talk it out with, and don’t forget to ask them how they are feeling too!
DAY 10
De mindful of what you are consuming. We don’t need to just watch what we eat, we need to be conscious of what we allow into our ears and eyes as well. Are you constantly scrolling on social media apps, being inundated with breaking news or the latest gossip?
Every couple of hours today think of all the information you have received or read. Can you sense how it has effected you? Has it been negative or has it encouraged you? MAKE ROOM in your day to listen to something encouraging or read something inspiring. Sometimes is the little things in life that can brighten your day!
DAY 11
When our minds are healthy we can be more open to sensing the needs of others around us. Giving is an amazing phenomenon that benefits the giver just as much as the one receiving. Research shows that giving can actually boost the mental and physical health of the giver.
DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE today! It could be buying someone a coffee, picking up groceries for your neighbor or volunteer at a shelter. Pick up your phone and call someone you care about instead of messaging them, hearing a friendly voice can do wonders sometimes There are endless needs in our communities, find ways you can make a positive difference.
DAY 12
Being kind has also been shown to have incredible benefits in the life of the person showing kindness. When we practice acts of kindness our brain releases mood boosting neurotransmitters and our sense of well being increases.
SHOW KINDNESS to everyone today! Even the family member who gets on your nerves, or the telemarketer who is just trying to provide for their family. Be mindful of how you interact with others.
BE KIND!
DO SOMETHING KIND!
HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!
