'Tis the season for joy and peace and lots of family time, right?! But the holiday season is not always the easiest of times, for so so many reasons. There is even more pressure on parents (and let’s be honest…mums) to be more and do more, there is additional (extended) family commitments, and maybe there are bad memories or traumas to deal with.
'Tis also the season to give up the guilt! Cut yourself some slack. If you’re not feeling the season, if you’re feeling more stress or anxiety, be easy on yourself. It’s OK if some days you’re thriving, and some days you’re just surviving. THIS. IS. NORMAL.
Cut yourself some slack. If you’re not feeling the season,
if you’re feeling more stress or anxiety, be easy on yourself.
How can I reduce my stress during the holidays?
Here are my (therapist approved & suggested!) ideas to help you be kind to yourself this month:
Prioritize. Do not feel like you have to do EVERYTHING. Prioritize the most important things to do, and do those things well.
Delegate & outsource. Now is not the time to do all of the things yourself, and you are not a failure if you ask for help.
Try to do things that you *want* to do, not things you think you *should* do
Create space in your month to be quiet, to be still, to just be (instead of do!)
Give yourself grace. If you don’t get everything done you need to, does it really matter? When you look back on your life in 50 years…will it matter?
Don’t look at the IG influencer Christmas life and feel like this needs to be your life. It’s not real ;) I decided this year that we’re never going to be the family that does a Polar Express Train Ride, and that is OK. Just not for us (or me maybe…!)
So how can I be mindful during the holidays? Take a few minutes a day to meditate. And that can honestly just mean intentionally breathing, intentionally stilling your mind for a few moments, or intentionally observing your body. Guided meditations can also be VERY helpful in focusing your mind - here is a 10 minute stress reduction meditation to get you started.
TLTR - be kind & gentle with yourself this month, do less, breathe more, give yourself grace, and enjoy a 10 minute meditation